Sunrise Theatre Black Box

When the Sunrise Theatre’s doors opened in January 2006 after a painstaking historic renovation, there was one section of the 82-year-old building left untouched. This 55- by 40-foot space’s future was unknown yet full of potential. It could be rented by a restaurant that catered to Sunrise events, it could be a mini museum to house the relics of the Sunrise’s past or it could be a smaller version of the Sunrise’s main auditorium. Almost four years after the grand reopening, Sunrise Theatre
officials decided to convert the vacant space into a black box theatre for smaller, more intimate performances and for use as
a multi-purpose venue. Black box theaters are simple spaces that can be easily converted
for more experimental or diverse performances. In the case of the Sunrise’s Black Box, artists can use the smaller space to express their creativity and talent without having to
“sell out” the main auditorium and cover the overhead costs of the larger venue. This presents a win-win situation for both the artists and the Sunrise Theatre. More artists will be able to perform at the Sunrise Theatre allowing a greater cash flow, as well as, offering more diversified performances to the Sunrise’s
already eclectic schedule.