GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — It was a place where lovers of the performing arts, patrons, play writes, actors and more could come together and put on a show.
07 Jefferson Ave. in Downtown Grand Rapids used to be the home of Dog Story Theater. In 2020, they closed during the peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Now, president Jay Harnish has plans to bring the theater back to the Heritage Hill neighborhood at this former pizza shop off State Street.
"I don't think there was a minute that I didn't think we could do this, that we couldn't do this again," said Jay.
Dog Story acts more as a rental space for theater groups rather than producing their own shows.
"I know Pigeon Creek Shakespeare performed regularly there, there was another company called the Brutal Sea. And they did some of the on guard type shows," said Jay.
Something Jay said has been a missing piece in the Grand Rapids arts community.
"It's affordable to rent Dog Story Theater," said Jay. "And I think having that creates opportunity. And with the opportunity that is created, more artists are able to create create more art, there's so much art in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids is kind of like an art city. And this just adds to it by creating more opportunities for artists to come out, create their art and get seen."
To Jay and everyone involved in bringing small theater back to Grand Rapids, it's good to be back.
"I'm really excited to be in Heritage Hill and in work with them as well," said Jay.
Dog Story could be open as early as next year, but there is some construction that needs to take place beforehand.
The non-profit has started a fundraiser for this new endeavor. Click here to learn more.
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