Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy
Announces its next phase in Capital Campaign Expansion
Huntsville, AL - Since 2019, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (FPCTA) has been diligently working to raise funds for a new theatre arts campus in Huntsville, AL. FPCTA saw a critical need for expanded space after experiencing an exponential rise in the demand for its services as the Huntsville metro region grew. In 2021, the plans to build the new campus were halted as pandemic-related issues caused building delays and construction costs to increase. By the end of 2023, the original project cost was estimated to have increased by 300% due to these issues. Despite these obstacles, FPCTA remained steadfast in its commitment to providing accessible theatre arts education and programming at its current location on Long Ave and bringing a theatre arts campus to Huntsville.
FPCTA is thrilled to announce its purchase of the historical building, Merrimack Hall. This 24,534 square foot facility currently offers a fully-functioning, accessible 300-seat theatre and renovation opportunities to add various classroom spaces including a dedicated preschool classroom suite, costumes shop/maker space, catering kitchen, ADA-compliant bathrooms, public lobby space, and office wing to support its year-round theatre arts education and mainstage programming
This move will allow FPCTA to increase its production programming dates, offer free accessible parking to intergenerational patrons, and expand performing arts training and STE(A)M technical theatre curriculum. This will engage students in workforce development and benefit their academic success, regardless of career path. Additional family-focused event programming and rental income opportunities will contribute to FPCTA’s sustainability and bring economic development to the Merrimack Mill Village Historic District.
Merrimack Hall began construction in 1920 and became the center of the
community. It served as a gymnasium for the neighborhood school, complete with a small theatre. Merrimack Hall also housed the Company Store, a cafe, barber shop, and other amenities crucial to life in the Mill Village. FPCTA is honored to continue the work championed by the original mill residents, most recently Merrimack Performing Arts Center (Merrimack). The transformational renovation done to install a state-of-the-art theater and dance studio by the Merrimack Performing Arts Center in 2007 stands at the heart of the building. FPCTA looks forward to building upon this artistic legacy by continuing to provide accessible theatre arts education and programming to all.
Founder and former Board Chairman of Merrimack, Debra Jenkins, expressed her support, “To think that this building has been a home to the arts since it was built and that it’s going to continue to bring joy and happiness to children and adults and audiences and participants through Fantasy Playhouse, is just so thrilling to us. Merrimack Hall was meant to be a centerpiece in this area and now Fantasy Playhouse is going to continue that.”
The City of Huntsville remains committed to its pledge of two million dollars in support of FPCTA’s capital expansion in West Huntsville. Mayor Tommy Battle has voiced his support for FPCTA’s transition to Merrimack Hall, “I wholeheartedly endorse Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy’s decision to acquire Merrimack Hall. This significant purchase will broaden local access to the arts and effectively respond to the remarkable surge in demand for services. It will create a dedicated venue for family-oriented programming and theatre training, enhance accessibility, expand facilities, and preserve the cherished historic character of Merrimack Hall.”
CEO Karen Mockensturm remarks, “We are grateful to the City of Huntsville, the Madison County Commission, the Alabama State Council on the Arts, and the scores of corporate and private funders that have come forward to pledge support of this project. We truly feel that our founders, legacy volunteer artists, and alumni would be excited to see this vision come to life at Merrimack Hall. We invite anyone who has been impacted by the magic of Fantasy Playhouse over the past six decades to join us in supporting this phase of our expansion.”
FPCTA will begin the renovation project in mid-October 2024 and hopes to relocate its operations in late Spring 2025. The project is being led by Principal Architect Greg Kamback at ArcSpace Studio and Brent Snyder, President, at JS Building Company. Financing provided by SmartBank.
For more information about FPCTA’s capital campaign, visit: FantasyPlayhouse.org/Spotlight-on-the-future.
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Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy (FPCTA) provides theatre arts access through production, education and outreach, reaching tens of thousands of residents annually, the majority of whom are children and youth. FPCTA enriches the lives of children and families through theatre and arts education, encouraging students to become self-confident, academically successful, creative-thinking citizens who are more likely to invest in their communities as adults. FPCTA’s core programs include live children’s theatre productions, classes, camps, workshops, private lessons, and educational outreach through after-school classes,touring programs and a workforce development partnership with Alabama A&M University. Recognizing the transformative power theatre arts can have in the life of a child, FPCTA prioritizes theatre arts access for all by engaging local under-resourced communities. FPCTA’s 64th season is presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union with additional from Alabama State Council on the Arts, Huntsville City Arts & Culture Grant Program, SmartBank, First Horizon Bank, Rocket City Mom, and Minuteman Press.
