With fate on their side, Scene One Theatre will be ready to take the stage at its new location by September.
Having signed the lease Tuesday, the theater will move to 623 Ohio St., located next door to Robo Car Wash. Ironically, Mark Wegman, founder and president of Scene One Theatre, heard about the space after his friend texted the wrong number.
"We decided we were going to leave our current space. And we have a realtor friend who comes to Scene One, and she actually texted the wrong person one day about, 'Scene One is looking for another space, do you have anything?' and this person said, 'well I don't know if you meant to text me, but my friend has the Capital Events Center and she told me just yesterday she's wanting a tenant.' So it was through a wrong text that it just kind of landed in our laps," Wegman said.
The new location comes with new features such as a built-in bar, a room divider and a small kitchen in the back. The building is also ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant with a wheel chair accessible entrance and bathroom. Wegman plans to make minor changes to the building later in the year to accommodate the theater settings such as lighting, but the building will be used as is for its ninth installment of Short Attention Span Theatre, which features an evening of original 10-minute plays. There will be eight short plays written by local playwrights with one of the writers, who is a senior at Helias Catholic High School, presenting his play for the first time.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5, 6 and 8, and then again Sept. 13-15.
There is still a lot to move at the current theater location, however. Since the new building is slightly smaller, the theater will be giving away items such as play props, a single-sized bed, small refrigerators, lumber and paint. The items can be picked up at the theater's current location, 619 E. Capitol Ave., from 5:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. Friday.
Wegman said he is excited to continue his theater mission at the new location.
He said the smaller size is more in line with the theater's mission, adding they worked to create an intimate feeling for the audience at the current theater, but it will be easier in the new location.
Tickets sales to upcoming shows will not change at the new location. Tickets to Short Attention Span Theatre can be purchased by calling 573-635-6713 or by emailing [email protected].