The Hub May 2016 | Page 23

S H O P H O P Garage Door Theatre 1519 Wyandotte Street East [email protected] What is the Garage Door Theatre and why should our readers be excited? The Garage Door Theatre is a new creative space in Walkerville. It will be part of the Walkerville Art Centre, a facility for the community which will include the theatre, a rehearsal space, café, office space for non-profits and shops. The theatre will provide a unique performance space that can accommodate a variety of artistic performances, activities, shows and events. Our first venture will be the upcoming Windsor Walkerville Fringe Festival taking place this May 6 – 15 with shows happening daily and all ticket sales going directly to the artists. With so much potential, we hope it will become the centre for all things creative in Walkerville.. How is the Garage Door Theatre different from the competition? The Garage Door Theatre is an adaptable theatre space with movable stages and seating. The versatility and capacity of the space will allow it to handle everything from a concert to a birthday party. We are planning to be a fully licensed facility so we can meet all event needs, as well as having a café attached to the theatre will allow further services for events and functions. The second floor of the building will offer office, meeting and event space for non-profits, as well as a rehearsal space. Why did you choose Walkerville as your present location? Walkerville chose us! When the old Monarch Mattress Building came up for sale last year, Mary Lambros, owner of Lorelei’s Bistro and the Olde Walkerville Theatre, wanted the spot for a parking lot only to find out the building could not be torn down. She decided it was time for plan B and started work on turning the space into a new Arts Centre and theatre.. Does the name have a story behind it? As we started to decide what to do with the building and discussions of the Art Centre and theatre began, the space itself became the focal point. The fact that there are 2 garage doors in the middle was going to make it very easy for bands and productions to load in and out of the theatre. Due to those garage doors, we started calling the new theatre space “The Garage Door Theatre” and it stuck! The Garage Door Theatre occupies the former Monarch Mattress store on Wyandotte Street East