The story that follows is the legendary tale of how the Blue Door Theatre came into existence: It is all true, according to the author’s own recollections.
The year was 1996, and a young man known around these parts as Mark Robbins decided Spokane needed improv and it needed it every Friday night! He had moved to the area from Seattle where he had been a part of Unexpected Productions. He thought what a better way to start up a troupe then to just branch out from one of the best improvisational troupes in the country. Thus, Unexpected Productions: Spokane, the first form of the Blue Door Theatre, was born. This troupe needed players, so an audition was held. Many people made the cut. The troupe performed in a variety of spaces, including, but not limited to, Spokane Valley Repertory Theatre and SFCC for 4 years.
In the spring of the year 2000 the company moved into their own theatre space downtown. They performed in the alley, near the Old Spaghetti Factory and above Art by Yourself at 122 S Monroe. It was in this space that the Blue Door Theatre was officially created. Jason and Harmony Frederick, two remarkable individuals, worked diligently with the troupe, and in January 2001 the Blue Door Theatre became a 501c(3) certified non-profit arts organization. The theatre space at 122 S Monroe was named the “Blue Door Theatre” simply because the front door was blue. The space had 67 seats and a raised stage. The Blue Door Theatre players performed EVERY Friday night and sometimes Saturdays on that stage, until June 7, 2002. The last performance at the 122 S Monroe theatre was a sell out and the audience wished the performers well, not knowing if the Blue Door Theatre troupe members would ever perform together again. But luck was on Spokane’s side. The members of the Blue Door Theatre refused to let a little thing like not having a place to perform get in their way of doing what they enjoy most-performing improv in Spokane.
In the fall of 2002, with the help of one of the current troupe members, Martin Zeller, the Blue Door Theatre found a new space at the spot they now call home, 815 W Garland Ave. This site was not a theatre when the Blue Door decided to rent it. Every troupe member dedicated time and energy into turning the one time appliance store into a theatre. What is now the Blue Door Theatre was literally put together by most of the current troupe members. After 2 months of hard work the new theatre was ready to open! On January 31, 2003, 67+ people packed the house and the Blue Door Theatre was back in business! Since its creation, the Blue Door Theatre has been an all-volunteer organization. Today we have 14 performers, 3 apprentices, 3 Improv Interns, many Box Office volunteers and 11 Board of Directors who volunteer their time. The Blue Door Theatre just finished its 11th season in Spokane! Join us in 2008 for
completely original, improvised and funny shows, every Friday night at 8pm and our Saturday night show EVERY Saturday at 9pm!
Thank you Spokane for all of your continued support!
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