Sat 2/28 @ 1 – 5pm
The Detroit Shoreway neighborhood is abuzz with excitement regarding the opening of the Near West Theatre’s first permanent home. Whether you’re a lover of the arts/theater, or simply a nosey parker, the wait is over as the local cultural hub is about to open its doors to show off the $7.13 million venue.
CoolCleveland talked to the giddy Near West Theatre Office Coordinator Kelcie Dugger about the new space, the upcoming free open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sat 2/28 and the bright future.
CoolCleveland: Wow, it’s hard to believe the open house has arrived for the new Near West Theatre.
Kelcie Dugger: I’m excited about it because it’s the first time the community, the public, is going to get to walk into this space they’ve been seeing raised out of the ground for some time. Essentially, it’s been a blue box and they have no idea what’s in it.
But what’s in it is pretty fantastic and pretty incredible. It’s not just a place for theater. Obviously we’ll be doing that. It has a great stage. We have live space now that we’re going to get to showcase in our opening show but there’s also a lot of space and opportunity for other things like dance parties, a café that could have open mic nights or slam poetry. It’s a space for the community to come in and use any way they’d like. So I’m really excited for them to come in and see all of the possibilities that are available to them.
What do you have planned for the open house?
We’ll be giving tours every half hour. Also, we’ll have a few art activities that you’ll want to be a part of because later on whatever they’re working on will be placed on a wall in the building. So it’s like, get your mark on the theater, which I think is really, really neat.
We obviously want everybody to feel like a part of them is a part of this building. That’s a great way to do that. We also have a fun photo station where people will be taking a lot of photos with some past costumes and props and things. At 3 p.m., there’s going to be a community gathering. We’re going to have a moment that will include civic leaders. There will also be some singing and chanting, and a way for all of us to kind of set this off right.
With so much more space, what other types of events do you have planned?
We’re having a Near West Theatre blowout dance party from 8 p.m. to midnight on March 14 for ages 18 and over. DJ Donkis will be there. Also, we have Wesley Bright & the Hi-Lites. They are really huge in Cleveland right now. They’ll be the first band to perform in our location.
And then on March 21, we’re having our annual benefit that we do every year but this will be the first time we’re able to hold our benefit in our own space. We’re really excited about that. In April, we open our first show in our new space, Shrek the Musical. That runs April 24 to May 17.
Overall, these are just exciting times for the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood and the Near West Theatre.
Oh my goodness, we feel like we’re here, and we made it. It’s been a long journey, some of it has been a struggle, but we’re here and we’re really excited. I know for me, I’ve been involved with this theater since I was 12 years old. Now 14 years later, Near West Theatre has its own location. I just feel incredibly thankful to be a part of it and be involved in the capacity that I am now. It’s a wonderful place to be. So definitely I would say everyone who is around in the community – even if you’re not in the community – come out and be a part of this. We will definitely welcome you to this space.
The Near West Theatre is located at 6702 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. For more information, visit nearwesttheatre.org.
Freelance writer John Benson spends most of his time writing for various papers throughout Northeast Ohio.