What was once a place where soldiers viewed films of the time and welcomed entertainment acts has now transformed into a community theater thanks to Partnerships for Lawrence, a registered nonprofit organization helping to bring a thriving arts scene to the city of Lawrence. After more than 30 years without entertainment, The Fort Benjamin Harrison Theater, also known as Theater at the Fort, has been revived.
“We had been talking to the city for a while to get the location opened up and eventually they approved,” said Judy Byron, executive director of Partnerships for Lawrence. “We really thought it was such a great asset to the city and was terribly underutilized. It’s not often that a city gets to rebrand itself by restoring historic buildings. There is a lot of redevelopment in the area, but the one thing lacking was the arts scene, and we really wanted to bring that to the forefront.”
Visitors may immediately notice the 208 plush red seats installed in the 1980s; since the theater closed to the public shortly after their installation, they continue to shine like new.
Byron said once the military base closed, the theater was handed over to the City of Lawrence.
In October 2015, Partnerships for Lawrence and the City of Lawrence helped fund repairs to the historic building, which was built in 1929. Once Partnerships for Lawrence became aware that Spotlight Players, a community theater operating for the past 10 years, was no longer operating out of Beech Grove and was looking for a home, the organization reached out to them about opening back up.
Soon after, Spotlight Players found a place to call home and held its first performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life” in December 2015.
“The first production went really well. It was very encouraging, and we hope our next show, ‘Blues for an Alabama Sky,’ is even better,” said Jim LaMonte, the artist director and founding member of Spotlight Players. “We averaged about 80 (attendees) a night. We have a ways to go, but with more marketing effort we can surely grow.”
LaMonte is also the director for “Blues for an Alabama Sky” and uses the phrase “dreams do come true” to describe the show.
“Blues for an Alabama Sky” highlights an all-Black cast and is set to open Feb. 19 and run for two weekends. The play takes place in Harlem, New York, in the summer of 1930 and captures the harsh realities of the Great Depression following the creative euphoria of the Harlem Renaissance.
“The play brings us to grips with our past and helps us understand and acknowledge its impact on present conditions, especially with regard to issues of race and gender,” says LaMonte. “The issues of uptown New York circa 1930 look awfully familiar: rampant unemployment, culture wars and fierce battles over gay rights and abortion. Today, we’re still dealing with birth control issues, women’s rights, race and homophobia. The issues of the play are not the focus, however. It features rich characters at an interesting time.”
The Fort Benjamin Harrison Theater is also home to a residence artist and looks forward to welcoming others who desire to perform live music. Byron said there will be plenty of opportunities for the public to take advantage of free shows and activities.
“There is really nothing on the northeast side when it comes to theater, so this is for our community and we look forward to thriving,” said Byron.
“Blues for an Alabama Sky”
Feb. 19–28 at 8 p.m.
The Fort Benjamin Harrison Theater, 8920 Otis Ave.
Military officials, $10; students and seniors, $12; general admission, $15
For more information, visit brownpapertickets.com or call (317) 366-4795.
