A new public artwork titled “The Stage That Raised Us” was unveiled on the north exterior wall of the historic Orpheum Theater in downtown Sioux Falls, celebrating the venue’s heritage and local performing arts community through designs shaped by area youth and residents, Sioux Falls Live reported.
The Bottom Line
- Designed by Sioux Falls native and muralist Jenae Porter, the mural was installed in early October 2026.
- Local youth from Spotlight Theatre Company, The Penguin Project, and The Premier Playhouse helped shape the artwork through interactive workshops.
- The project was commissioned by the Sioux Falls Arts Commission and funded through city funds tied to Orpheum Theater improvements.
Unveiling The Stage That Raised Us at the Orpheum Theater
The outdoor installation brings fresh visual energy to the north wall of the Orpheum Theater, making it easily visible to pedestrians and motorists traveling through downtown Sioux Falls. Designed by local muralist Jenae Porter, the artwork incorporates musical imagery, figures in motion, and architectural patterns drawn directly from the building’s storied past. The theater itself first opened its doors in 1913.
“This project is a great example of how public art can reflect both a place’s history and the people who make it meaningful today,” Maren Engel, the city’s arts coordinator, said during a media briefing at the theater. By involving community members early in the process, organizers sought to bridge the gap between the venue’s early-century roots and the current creative momentum of the city.
Community Workshops Shape the Final Design
The path to the finished mural relied heavily on direct public participation. Porter partnered with theater professional Alexondrea Thong Vanh to lead specialized workshops for young participants from several local organizations, including Spotlight Theatre Company, The Penguin Project, and The Premier Playhouse.
During these sessions, young participants engaged in theater games, warm-up exercises, and collage-making to express what the performing arts meant to them. They discussed their favorite aspects of the Orpheum, sketched desired visual elements, and shared color preferences. Warm tones emerged as a clear favorite among the group, setting the palette for the final composition.
Additional public feedback was collected during the Sidewalk Arts Festival in September, helping refine the collage-inspired composition and the inclusion of words drawn directly from participants. Local graphic designer Tyson Schultz also contributed to the final design execution.
Architectural Inspiration and Vaudeville Roots
The visual motifs woven into the mural pay explicit homage to the Orpheum’s architectural details and era of origin. Background patterns reference Art Deco design from the period when the building was constructed, while organic shapes mirror Neo-Nouveau elements found inside the venue, such as its distinctive frosted glass doors.
Further embedding the theater’s history into the streetscape, the artwork references “That International Rag,” a vaudeville song written by Irving Berlin in 1913—the exact year the Orpheum opened.
| Project Element | Contributor / Source |
|---|---|
| Lead Muralist | Jenae Porter |
| Theater Workshop Leaders | Alexondrea Thong Vanh, Jenae Porter |
| Participating Youth Groups | Spotlight Theatre Company, The Penguin Project, The Premier Playhouse |
| Graphic Design Contributor | Tyson Schultz |
| Installation Company | Pride Neon |
The Sioux Falls Arts Commission commissioned the mural following an open call for artists in accordance with city public art policies. Financing for the installation came from city funds allocated for improvements to the Orpheum Theater. Once finalized, the artwork was printed on durable outdoor-grade vinyl and installed by the local signage company Pride Neon. Additional details regarding city-initiated public art projects remain available through the official City of Sioux Falls Arts Division.
