Guthrie Theater

The Guthrie is such an interesting building and institution—both architecturally and culturally significant to Minneapolis. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the current building opened in 2006 on the banks of the Mississippi River in the Mill District. The building features a distinctive blue exterior and a dramatic cantilevered bridge that extends out toward the river, offering visitors stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline and the historic Stone Arch Bridge. The 285,000-square-foot complex houses three stages—the thrust-stage McGuire Proscenium Stage, the flexible Dowling Studio, and the intimate Dowling Studio—and has become an iconic landmark in the city's cultural landscape. Since its founding in 1963 by Sir Tyrone Guthrie, the theater has been a cornerstone of American regional theater, producing classic and contemporary works while helping to establish Minneapolis as a major theater city.