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 in Faribault, Minnesota, in the United States. For over 60 years, this building was known as the Paradise Theater. It was a large theater with 915 seats. It could host live shows and also screen new movies. The theater closed in the late 1980s. This happened because new, bigger movie theaters opened nearby.
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A Hub for Arts and Creativity
Even when the Paradise Theater was closed, art was still happening in Faribault. Three important groups kept the arts alive. These 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. It became a non-profit group in 1965. This group helped local artists and art lovers. They offered art classes and showed off artworks. They also worked on art projects in the community. Today, the Faribault Art Center is part of the Paradise Center for the Arts.
Faribault Area Community Theater
The Faribault Area Community Theater (FACT) began in 1988. This group made it easy for everyone to enjoy theater. They also made it possible for people to act in plays. FACT puts on four community theater shows each year.
The Merlin Players
The Merlin Players (TMP) is another non-profit theater group. They bring professional and affordable theater to southeastern Minnesota. Their shows help actors and crew members grow their artistic skills. TMP believes artists should be paid for their hard work. They pay everyone involved in a show, even students who help backstage. This helps students learn from experienced professionals. The Merlin Players put on four big shows a 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 has a rich history. It was built in 1929. Before that, the Faribault Opera House stood on the same spot. The famous architects Liebenberg and Kaplan designed the Paradise. They also designed other well-known theaters in Minneapolis.
Unique Architectural Style
The theater's design looks like a beautiful Moorish courtyard. It has special details like Turkish caps over the doors. There are also turrets and stone-like walls. When it first opened, the Paradise could seat 915 people. After a big renovation in 2007, it now seats 300.
Modern Art Center
The rest of the building has been changed into a multi-purpose art center. It now has an art gallery for exhibitions. There are also classrooms for art lessons. You can even find retail space inside. The lobby has been fully restored to its original look. The main performance area, called the Bahl Family Auditorium, also looks like it did in 1929.
