Norfolk Community Theatre | Norfolk, Nebraska

Norfolk Community Theatre: Enriching lives through art.

norfolk community theatre · norfolk nebraska · established 1964

The Mission of the Norfolk Community Theatre

The Mission of the Norfolk Community Theatre, a nonprofit organization, is to enrich the lives of northeast Nebraskans by providing and supporting performing arts endeavors that attract, stimulate and entertain diverse audiences.

A New Stage

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:

Estimated Costs
Exterior Facade modifications	$93,500
Roofing Replacement/repair	$160,000
Interior Structural Systems	$210,000
Interior Finishes	$461,000
Mechanical Systems	$358,000
Electrical Systems	$295,000
Seating & Theatre Equipment	$195,000
Operational Endowment	$500,000
Environmental Services	$200,000
Architecture/Contracting Fees	$191,500
Construction Fees	$223,200

Total Project Budget	$2,887,200

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.

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

2007 - 2008
...Cue the Laughs
Quick Look

Fall
Bell, Book and Candle
Auditions
Aug. 27 & 28
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Performances
October 4-7
October 11-13

Winter
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Auditions
Oct. 15 & 16
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Performances
November 29-30, December 1-2
December 6-8

Spring
Plaza Suite
Auditions
Jan. 8 & 9
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Performances
February 28-29, March 1-2
March 6-8