Arts & Entertainment

News Nearby: Duluth Forces New Dawn Theater to Vacate

A letter from the board informs friends and patrons that the City of Duluth has other plans for the space the theater occupies. The theater leases space from the city.

New Dawn Theater in Duluth is looking for a place to relocate.

According to a letter from the theater’s board to friends and supporters, the theater is planning to leave its location on Main Street in downtown Duluth no later than early January 2014 because the City of Duluth has other plans for the space it occupies.

The city is involved in a revitalization effort with an initial focus on creating a downtown dining and nightlife district in the Old City Hall Block, now called The Block, where the theater is located. The theater leases the space at a discounted rate on a month-to-month basis from the city, which owns the block.

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A copy of the later was emailed Monday (April 8) to Duluth Patch by New Dawn Theater President/Artistic Director Sherry Ingbritsen.

The theater also must vacate the area in which it is storing props, costumes and set building materials before early June 2013, so that the city can repurpose that space, the letter reported. The theater has been storing these items in space in the former city administration building on West Lawrenceville Street.

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“But be assured that New Dawn Theater Company is not closing its doors. We intend to continue to offer live theater productions, acting classes, drama camps and so much more, but we need your help,” the letter stated.

Here are the ways listed in the letter to help the theater make a seamless transition to a new location:

  • Contact us if you know of an available space for rent that is approximately 7,000-10,000 square feet. Such a space will provide room for a stage and audience seating area, two dressing rooms, two bathrooms, a concession area, costume and prop storage, and a set building area.
  • Attend our 2013 season shows in our current location including “Barabbas” (April/May); “Night at the Wax Museum” (June); “M*A*S*H” (Aug./Sept.); “Under Milkwood” (October); and “A Victorian Christmas” (December). Make this our best season ever! We already have two plays on our schedule for 2014:  Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite” (Feb./Mar.) and Agatha Christie’s “Appointment with Death” (April/May).
  • Make a tax-deductible contribution to New Dawn Theater to help pay for moving costs and the expenses of refurbishing a new space. As a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, our wealth is in our volunteers, props, sets, and theater equipment rather than in cash. Your charitable contribution can be a great help to us in making this move. Board members, cast, crews and other volunteers all donate many hours to stage our productions. Your donation can be a critical form of support. You can mail your donation to New Dawn Theater Company, 3087 Main Street, Duluth, GA 30096. Visit the New Dawn website: www.newdawntheatercompany.com  or call 678-887-5015.
  • New Dawn has recently won awards for acting, costuming, directing, set building and community service. We appreciate this recognition, but our major satisfaction comes from seeing how the community we are a part of profits financially, socially, emotionally and spiritually by learning, participating in and experiencing the fine arts. Please let us know what the New Dawn Theater experience has meant to you.
  • As we work to relocate New Dawn Theater, please make others aware of the unique benefits of a local community theater and bring them to New Dawn this season and in the coming years. On with the Show!


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