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Nathan Cheesman, Ross Destiche and Briana Patnode in the 2011 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream

In its third year, PTMN has been keeping a low profile while building a grassroots following in the west metro presenting summer productions of Shakespeare in Wolfe Park.

Now it's preparing for its first season of indoor professional productions in 2013.

Opening night of Romeo and Juliet in Wolfe Park

Artistic Director Mark Hauck comes with strong credentials - he founded the 

in Winona. But Hauck took a five year break from the theater business, instead teaching it to Hopkins High School teenagers.

Jason Rojas as Oberon and Joshua Walker as Puck in the Public Theater of Minnesota's 2011 production of Midsummer Night's Dream

 at Wolfe Park, and Hauck  expects more than 2,000 people will attend the show by the end of its run.

The ultimate vision for the organization, said Hauck, is to have three companies, one comprised of theater professionals, another by community members and a third made up of emerging artists ages 15 - 25.

Phil Eschweiler as Bottom and Anthony Simone as Peter Quince in the 2011 PTMN production of A Midsummer Night's Dream

According to Hauck, working with young artists is key to creating civic-mindedness and to fostering a greater passion for art-making.

Hauck says the company is still working on finding its new indoor performance home. Romeo and Juliet runs through July 22 at Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park.

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Marianne Combs

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Public Theater of Minnesota has been keeping a low profile while building a grassroots following in the west metro presenting summer productions of Shakespeare in Wolfe Park.

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