Studio/Stage Door, 1909
Cranbrook has always had a passionate performing arts community and the Studio/Stage Door is a prime example of that passion.
The building was originally constructed in 1909 as the Masonic Temple. By 1973, a plan was afoot to knock it down to make way for a parking lot. A group of diehard actor/volunteers (led by Bud Abbott and Cornell Sawchuck) petitioned the City to save the building as a dedicated arts space. So it's now owned by the City of Cranbrook but maintained by the Cranbrook Community Theatre. The building has seen a number of restorations/improvements over the years; some of the trim details were repurposed from the old Frost Farm on 14th Avenue S. Interior space is used creatively; to get to the stage from the make-up room actors must go up three flights of stairs and down two.
The building houses an 83-seat theatre with terrific acoustics, a large dance studio with hardwood floors, an extensive costume library (including some original Masonic robes), and one ghost named Fred.
The building was originally constructed in 1909 as the Masonic Temple. By 1973, a plan was afoot to knock it down to make way for a parking lot. A group of diehard actor/volunteers (led by Bud Abbott and Cornell Sawchuck) petitioned the City to save the building as a dedicated arts space. So it's now owned by the City of Cranbrook but maintained by the Cranbrook Community Theatre. The building has seen a number of restorations/improvements over the years; some of the trim details were repurposed from the old Frost Farm on 14th Avenue S. Interior space is used creatively; to get to the stage from the make-up room actors must go up three flights of stairs and down two.
The building houses an 83-seat theatre with terrific acoustics, a large dance studio with hardwood floors, an extensive costume library (including some original Masonic robes), and one ghost named Fred.