Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Streich.
Natalie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Storybook Entertainment MN was founded in 2020 after I returned home to Minnesota following my time working at the most magical place on earth—Disney World. Adjusting from the excitement of Disney to a cold Minnesota winter during the height of COVID-19 was a challenge, and with extra time on my hands, I began looking for ways to continue spreading joy.
That search led me to volunteer opportunities with Minnesota Children’s Hospital through their in-house television station, Star Studio. After purchasing my very first costume—Ariel—I began hosting virtual bingo and activities for children. Seeing the smiles and excitement these character interactions brought inspired me to do more.
As my collection of costumes grew, I started promoting character visits on Facebook and Instagram. What began as a one-woman show quickly gained momentum, and before long, other performers joined the team. Together, we created a little piece of Disney magic right here in Minnesota.
A major turning point came when Twin Cities Live featured us at one of our events. The exposure helped our business grow rapidly and introduced Storybook Entertainment MN to families throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.
Today, Storybook Entertainment MN is proud to have a team of 33 talented character performers and averages 15 events each weekend. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to bring affordable, high-quality character entertainment to local families, schools, businesses, and community events. Our mission remains the same as it was on day one: creating magical memories and bringing smiles to every child we meet.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Character performing may look glamorous from the outside, but it comes with many unique challenges. Performers are expected to embody beloved characters at all times, maintaining the same voice, mannerisms, and personality regardless of the circumstances. Long hours in heavy costumes, extreme weather conditions, and physically demanding performances can be exhausting. Beyond the physical demands, performers must think quickly on their feet when faced with unexpected questions, emotional children, or last-minute event changes.
Building a character entertainment business also requires overcoming significant obstacles. Gaining the trust of families, investing in high-quality costumes, marketing services, recruiting and training performers, and maintaining a consistent level of magic at every event all require dedication and perseverance. Many performers balance character work with other jobs, school, or family responsibilities while continuing to perfect their craft.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Storybook Entertainment MN brings theme park-quality character experiences to Minnesota families through professional performers, authentic costumes, and unforgettable interactions that create lifelong memories. We attend birthday parties, events, and more!
At our core, we believe in the power of imagination, kindness, and connection. Every wave, hug, dance, story, and song is an opportunity to make someone feel special. Whether we’re meeting a child for the first time or returning to a community event year after year, our goal remains the same: to create magic close to home and make every guest feel like the star of their own story.
How do you think about happiness?
What brings me the most joy isn’t just seeing a child’s dream come true when they meet their favorite character—it’s seeing the magic through the parents’ eyes as well. We spend countless hours perfecting every detail, from mannerisms and voice training to costumes and character interactions, to ensure we truly embody the characters we portray.
Our goal is to create an experience so authentic that guests can suspend reality, even if only for a moment. While the long hours, rehearsals, and behind-the-scenes work can be demanding, it all becomes worth it when a parent or adult tells us, “I believed.” That is the highest compliment we can receive because it means we succeeded in bringing a little bit of magic to life.
Pricing:
- Mini Meet & Greet Package: $200, 1-hour with your character of choice, birthday present, sing along, and dancing.
- Meet & Greet Package: $275, 1-hour with your character of choice, birthday present, 3 activities, dance and sing along.
- and more!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://storybookentertainmentmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storybookentertainmentmn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storybookentertainmentmn
