The Arctic Playhouse facts for kids
The Arctic Playhouse logo
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| Address | 1249 Main Street West Warwick, Rhode Island United States |
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| Type | Community theater |
| Capacity | 98 |
| Opened | 2014 |
| Years active | 10 |
The Arctic Playhouse is a special place for live shows in West Warwick, Rhode Island. It is a non-profit theater, which means it uses its money to put on plays and help the community, not to make a profit. You can find it at 1249 Main Street in a village called Arctic, Rhode Island.
Contents
History of the Playhouse
The Arctic Playhouse started from a group called the Daydream Theater Company. This company began in Providence, Rhode Island in 2002. They loved putting on plays and wanted a bigger space.
Finding a New Home
In 2014, the Daydream Theater Company found a new home. They moved to Arctic Village in West Warwick. This new spot could seat 90 people. It became known as The Arctic Playhouse (TAP). It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit group, which means it's officially recognized as a charity. The theater has helped bring new life to the old mill village.
Growing Bigger
As more people wanted to see shows, TAP needed even more room. They bought the old Maxine's Department Store at 1249 Main Street. This building was much larger. After a big renovation, it will have over 200 seats, compared to the old 90.
The new theater has a main stage with balcony seating. It also has a smaller "cabaret stage" for more personal shows. In April 2019, the first Cabaret Club show happened there. It featured singer Ida Zecco and pianist Jim Rice.
Shows During the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the theater kept the arts alive. They streamed performances online. This helped actors and audiences stay connected. It also helped them continue raising money for the renovations.
On September 23, 2021, TAP welcomed audiences back in person. They performed "Murder at the Howard Johnson's" at the new 1249 Main Street location. This area could seat 96 people.
What's Next for the Playhouse?
Work is still happening to finish the theater. Fundraising is very important for this. It helps them buy equipment and materials. This way, they can avoid borrowing money for the future.
Past Seasons and Shows
The Arctic Playhouse puts on many different shows each year. These include musicals, comedies, and dramas. They also have special cabaret performances. Here are some of the shows they have put on:
2024 Season Highlights
- Legally Blonde The Musical
- The Brothers Grimm
- And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
- Crimes of the Heart
- One Slight Hitch
- Lone Star Love Potion
- 45 Seconds from Broadway (A New Comedy)
Past Seasons Examples
The theater has had many exciting seasons over the years. They have performed classic plays and new works.
- 2022-23 Season included plays like "39 Steps" and "Miracle on 34th Street".
- 2021-22 Season featured "Noises Off" and "Social Security".
- 2020-21 Season had radio plays like "Miracle on 34th Street - The Radio Play".
- 2019-20 Season included "Vintage Hitchcock" and "The Gift of the Magi".
- 2018-19 Season featured "Steel Magnolias" and "The Diary of Anne Frank".
- 2017-18 Season had "Alice in Wonderland" and "On Golden Pond".
- 2016-17 Season included "Butterflies Are Free" and "The Dining Room".
- 2015-16 Season featured "The Social Avenger" and "My Husband’s Wild Desires".
- 2014–15 Season had "Crystal Romance" and "The Man who Saw Snoopy".
