Paradise Center for the Arts facts for kids
| Address | 321 Central Avenue Faribault, Minnesota USA |
|---|---|
| Type | Atmospheric theatre |
| Capacity | 915 (orig.), 300 (post reno.) |
| Current use | live theatre, art gallery |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Rebuilt | 2007 |
| Years active | 1929-1980s, 2007-present |
| Architect | Liebenberg and Kaplan |
| Website | |
| www.paradisecenterforthearts.org | |
The Paradise Center for the Arts is a special place for art and performances in Faribault, Minnesota, USA. For over 60 years, this building was known as the Paradise Theater. It had a huge stage and 915 seats. It showed movies and live shows. In the late 1980s, the theater closed. Newer, bigger movie theaters nearby made it hard for the Paradise to keep going.
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A New Start for the Arts
Even when the Paradise Theater was empty, art was still happening! Three groups helped keep the arts alive in the area. These groups were the Faribault Art Center (FAC), the Faribault Area Community Theater (FACT), and The Merlin Players.
Faribault Art Center
The Faribault Art Center started in the 1950s. A small group of artists wanted to share visual arts. They offered classes and art shows. They also worked on community art projects. In 1965, FAC became a non-profit group. Today, it is part of the Paradise Center for the Arts.
Faribault Area Community Theater
The Faribault Area Community Theater (FACT) started in 1988. FACT makes it easy for everyone to join in theater. They put on plays for the community. People can act in the shows or just watch them. FACT performs four plays each year.
The Merlin Players
The Merlin Players (TMP) is another non-profit theater group. They offer professional plays at a good price. These shows are for audiences in southeastern Minnesota. TMP also helps actors and crew members grow their skills.
Supporting Artists and Students
The Merlin Players believe artists should be paid for their work. They pay everyone involved in a show. This includes actors, technical staff, and directors. Even students who help backstage get paid. This helps students learn from professionals. It also creates strong friendships and mentorships. The Merlin Players perform four full shows each year at the Paradise. Their first show there was A Christmas Carol in December 2007.
The Building's History and Design
The Paradise Center for the Arts building was built in 1929. It stands where the old Faribault Opera House used to be. The building was recently updated. It was designed by Liebenberg and Kaplan. This firm also designed the Uptown Theater and the Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis.
Unique Architecture
The theater's design looks like a Moorish courtyard. It has Turkish caps over the doors. You can also see turrets and "stonework" on the walls. When it first opened, 915 people could sit inside. Now, after the updates, it seats 300 people.
More Than Just a Theater
The rest of the building is now a multi-purpose art center. It has an art gallery for exhibitions. There are also classrooms for art lessons. You can find retail space too. The lobby areas have been fully restored. The Bahl Family Auditorium was also restored. It looks just as grand as it did in 1929, but with fewer seats.
