History

Bunce Performing Arts has been engaging and entertaining the northwest suburban Twin Cities area since 2007 with excellent shows like Oliver, Beauty and the Beast, Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Shrek the Musical, Seussical the Musical and Newsies. The first performance of Oliver in 2007 brought 450 people to the Bunce backyard in Maple Grove. Moving to the Bogle’s larger backyard in Dayton in 2014 gave BPA the ability to accommodate larger audiences. The final performance of Tarzan attracted over 1,000 people!

The organization was run by the Bunce family with help from friends from 2007 until 2012 when Bunce Backyard Productions, a 501(c)(3) theater company was formed. This enhanced the organization's ability to raise funds to help cover the cost of producing a high-quality production every summer. Due to the growth of the company into year-round theater productions using both indoor and outdoor spaces, Bunce Backyard Productions was rebranded as Bunce Performing Arts in 2020.

2015 brought a new summer endeavor to the Maple Grove theater company with the launch of Bunce Summer Camp in the Bunce backyard. Bunce Summer Camp now serves up to 70 students each summer in two camps, one for elementary-aged kids and one for middle and high school participants. The camp is directed by professional theater and music directors along with a group of energetic counselors.

BPA produced its first traveling show in the summer of 2016. The musical Gloria toured through churches in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area for three weeks, giving 10 engaging and entertaining performances. A cast of 8 actors portrayed the story of Gloria Morgan, a Midwestern woman working in the big city, who feels empty and dissatisfied… that is, until she meets seven intriguing characters on her way to work, each one telling of personal meetings with Jesus and how they were changed.

Christmas shows have been produced twice in the company's history. Depending on the availability of theater space, producing an annual Christmas production is a goal of Bunce Performing Arts.

The newest addition to this growing theater company is The BEAT (Bunce Educational Adventure Theater) which began in 2019. The BEAT partners with Osseo Area Schools Community Education to offer after-school musical theater experiences to students in elementary and middle school. Students at Cedar Island, Fernbrook, Osseo Middle School and Maple Grove Middle School have benefitted from a fun musical theater adventure through the work of The BEAT.

Mission Statement

Bunce Performing Arts tells stories of hope and encouragement to the communities we serve and offers access to theatrical opportunities to people of all ages through affordable, high-quality theatre productions. We cultivate the development, education, and advancement of performers and leadership teams with artists from all levels of experience.

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