• Overview

Here's Where We Are

Just a few years ago, the Norfolk Community Theatre received a generous donation any vagabond theatrical group would love: a home to call our own.

In the 1920's, the Grand Theater was built in downtown Norfolk.  It had all the state-of-the-art features for its time, as the following excerpts from a January 10, 1921 Norfolk Daily News article notes:

"...the entire outlay [for the theatre] represent an expense of about $100,000."
"In the summertime, the air is washed and cooled with ice."
"...the big canopy along with the frontal electical illumination rivals theaters in cities twice the size of Norfolk."
"The seats are placed far enough apart to insure comfort."
"The floor and walls are of fireproof material and the entire interior is so constructed as to make it as near fireproof as possible."

Bits and pieces of the initial theater architecture are still present and are a testament to its original use.  The original procenium opening surrounding the stage is present, though not in the best of shape. Indentations for footlights can be found at the front of the stage floor--also part of the original building. Throughout the building are testaments of the Grand's first intent, a home for live performances.

Throughout the building are also testaments of decades of heavy use. When the building was remodeled to so play films, unneeded spaces--backstage, fly-space, etc.--were hidden from the public eye and left largely uncared for.  Various portions of the building will need to be brought up current code requirements.


The building has now sat empty for four years and the cobwebs are multipying at a nearly exponential rate.

In spite of these obstacles, we are committed to returning live theatre to downtown Norfolk.  The project is no weekend undertaking.  Theatrical spaces have specific needs.

Here are some of the details for our project:

Financial Estimates:

We have recently contracted with Beckenhauer Construction to renovate and reconstruct the theatre. Upon completion the building will be christened The Grand, Home of the Norfolk Community Theatre. The new building will include:

• 324 seat mainstage theatre with a full stage restored to original design
• A Black Box theatre designed as a meeting space for community events or a more intimate theatre experience
• Catering kitchen
• Scene shop and construction area
• Full dressing rooms
• Costume and prop storage
• Extended lobby for gala events
• State of the art theatre equipment
• Handicapped accessible restrooms and seating

If you are interested in helping in any capacity, feel free to email us

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Help us create A New Stage for Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska!