RIVER FALLS – “My goal isn’t just to teach acting and theatre—it’s to help kids discover their creativity, their ability to express themselves, and their place in a supportive community. I want families to feel that theatre is a welcoming, accessible space for everyone, no matter their background or experience level. I want WonderWorks Theatre to be a place where every child—whether they dream of the spotlight or just want to explore their creativity—feels safe, seen, and celebrated.”

This is the mission and inspiration for former public school teacher Ashley Steiner, who has embarked on a new business journey by opening WonderWorks Theatre in River Falls.

Steiner, a River Falls High School alumna, taught middle and high school English and reading at Ellsworth for five years and New Richmond for five years. While there, she helped grow their theater programs and build drama clubs, especially at the middle school level.

A colleague had remarked that Steiner used a lot of interactive activities with her reading classes and asked her if she would like to help put on a middle school play at Ellsworth. She jumped at the opportunity, considering her own background in and love of theater.

“We began with little cafeteria performances and turned it into more of a theater program and a safe place for students,” Steiner said. “It’s so nice to see that there are other people that have the same kind of vision.”

When she left teaching almost three years ago, she missed working with people and kids, so she became involved with the River Falls Community Theatre, eventually becoming a board member. It was like a homecoming, as she had participated in theater productions in high school. While she watched friends in college participate in theater, she backed off it after receiving advice that it wouldn’t be a good career option. However, she has come full circle.

When Prairie Fire Theatre (which RFCT hired) backed out of its summer show two years ago with short notice, Steiner jumped at the chance to dive into the theater world again.

“I had been researching plays again and felt that void of not getting to work with kids,” she said. “So I manned a summer show and directed ‘Tinkerbell.’ It was a passion of love and I thought, oh my I miss this. Forty-five kids participated; it was so awesome and it was what I wanted to do.”

Last year, she directed children in “Snow White” through RFCT. When a mom expressed her wish that River Falls had a place in town for accessible, affordable theater classes, a lightbulb went on in Steiner’s brain.

“I have the motivation, the experience, this is what I want to do,” Steiner said.

She left the RFCT Board but credits them for being supportive and uplifting in her new journey to bring theater opportunities to kids year-round.

“It’s been a smooth transition,” Steiner said. “I started pitching it (her idea) to people who had participated in Snow White.”

She offered her first classes in September 2024, hosting them in a few different spaces such as UW-River Falls, Helmer Dance Studio, Sisu Play Café and Hoffman Park’s storm shelter.

“I didn’t have a space, so I had to move around. It was very much a challenge to be able to build classes. I was spending a lot of time reserving spaces,” Steiner said. “I knew it wouldn’t be smart to keep bopping around.”

When a realtor showed her the space in the lower level of the former BMO Harris Bank building on Second Street in River Falls, she was apprehensive at first until she opened the doors. It was perfect for what she needed.

“I needed something that was large enough that I could have a stage and an inviting location. Books, props and puppets. It’s kids centered, so I really wanted it to have something for everyone,” Steiner said. “It accommodates storage for props and chairs, stage. We (she and husband Matt) worked really hard.”

The space is inviting with a true theater feel. A stage graces one end of the large area and colorful artwork, props, costumes and books round out the space, which has plenty of seating and room for kids to move around.

“The improv classes have been a hit with the kids,” Steiner said. “We also offer Showcase classes where the kids get a script and we’ll work with that script, building your character, movement and blocking techniques, choreography. These are six-week sessions.”

Other offerings have included a “fractured fairytale class” where the kids work on exaggeration and comedy and how to apply it to two random fairy tales.

“How can we add that technique or skill and mash up those two stories?” Steiner explained.

Other hit classes have been Stage Sprouts for ages 2-5, partnering with Jessica Nevalainen at Sisu Play Café. During Spring break, families will have a couple of options to choose from if they’re doing a staycation, including a showcase and a puppet playhouse.

Steiner believes exposing children to theater and allowing them access is important.

“There are so many life skills that come from theater beyond just being creative: problem solving, speaking in front of your peers, thinking on your feet, skills that will be needed regardless if they ever get to the Broadway stage. It’s so much more than memorizing lines and putting on silly costumes,” she said.

Theater helped her in high school, which is a challenging time for many kids who are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in.

“Theater was kind of my safe space,” she said. “All of these people from different backgrounds and experiences that come together to support each other and put on this beautiful production. Even with all the individual parts and contributions.”

Theater helps kids get to know each other and make new friends. She loves seeing how kids support and help each other and how creative they can be with problem-solving.

“How many safe risks they take, to push themselves, and try things they normally wouldn’t,” she said.

This year, young actors and crew members can look forward to three show opportunities:

• “Rainbow Fish” at St. Bridget’s, sponsored by RFCT. Kids will also have the opportunity to take part in sort of an internship, where they learn about blocking, directing, managing a stage, sound and lights, and house management.
• A Mother Goose comedy on the main stage of River Falls Days.
• “33 Little Pigs” performed on the stage at Bacon Bash

Kids can enroll in these opportunities through River Falls Parks & Recreation beginning March 18.

During the River Falls Business Leaders’ sponsored Potato Soup Crawl on March 15, WonderWorks Theatre will offer a special Kids Drop-In Open Studio during the community event from noon to 5 p.m.

“While families enjoy the Potato Soup Crawl down Main Street, children can take part in theatre games, imaginative play, dress-up, and fun potato-themed crafts in a safe and creative space. No pre-registration is required — families can just drop in and let the kids have their own adventure while parents partake in the community fun,” Steiner said.  

WonderWorks Theatre is in the lower level of the office building at 103 S. Second St., River Falls. They also offer birthday parties and parents’ night out options. Learn more at wonderworkstheatre.com or follow them on social media.