Upcoming Documentary Showcases Groundbreaking Theater Program at St. Paul Central High School
“The Safe Space” chronicles three decades of Central Touring Theater and its powerful impact on generations of young people
For immediate release
Dated: October 29, 2026
Contacts: Nick Jungheim, 651-259-3060, nick.jungheim@mnhs.org or Allison Ortiz, 651-259-3051, allison.ortiz@mnhs.org
ST. PAUL, Minn (October 29, 2026) – Founded by educator and theater director Jan Mandell, St. Paul’s Central Touring Theater (CTT) built an extraordinary reputation. For more than 35 years, CTT was a space where young people who deserved for their voices to be heard could transform their lived experiences into raw, authentic theater that inspired change.
A new documentary series chronicles CTT, telling the story of how students found their voices, told their stories, and built a community. Episode 1 of The Safe Space will have its first public screening at Macalester College’s Mairs Concert Hall on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The Macalester screening brings together film, theater, and community dialogue.
The Safe Space features exclusive interviews and an extraordinary collection of archival material spanning more than three decades. Featuring footage from CTT classrooms, rehearsals and performances alongside the personal reflections from community artists and alumni, including former St. Paul mayor Melvin Carter, Jr.; Anika Bowie, a city council member; Tonia Jackson, a Penumbra Theatre actress; and James A. Williams, a Minnesota-based actor, theater educator, and community artist.
The series explores the program’s lasting influence and the power of creative spaces to shape lives. The Minnesota Historical Society co-produced the film and provided additional archival material.
Doors open for this free screening beginning at 4:45 pm. A community conversation exploring the film’s themes will immediately follow.
At 6:45 pm, a limited-capacity theatre-based workshop will be offered as a separate experience. This workshop is also free, but pre-registration is required. The workshop offers the opportunity to experience theatre as a vehicle to speak out and speak up, while offering a place for belonging and healing.
Jan Mandell, founder and longtime leader of CTT, and Antonio Richardson, Executive Producer and Director of Photography for The Safe Space, are available for interviews. Media interested in discussing the documentary and accessing a sizzle reel should email Nick Jungheim.
Support for this event is provided by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.
About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves, and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries, and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.