Theater History
(10/2002) The Beginning. Founded as Artisan Productions, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit Corporation. Artisan Center Theater is one of the entities operating under the non-profit umbrella. A small group of dedicated volunteers joined with DeeAnn Blair, Rick Blair and Dorothy Sanders in the Blair’s dining room to create the first Board of Directors.
(3/28/2003) First Production. Artisan opened its first production in the old Birraporetti’s Restaurant on Highway 26 in the North Hills Mall. Steel Magnolias, starring one of the founders, Dorothy Sanders, was an instant “hit.” Originally, Artisan was open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, seating people on folding chairs. For much of the first 5 years, its orange, springy seats were famous because they came from the old Casa Manana theater when it was renovated from being a theater-in-the-round to its current design.
(7/2003) First Volunteer. Rudy Martinez, Sr. joined as a ”full time” volunteer and worked over 40 hours per week for two years. He became the patriarch of a long and noble list of volunteers that now exceeds 300 people. Rudy “retired” in 2005 to spend time with his new grandchild.
(6/2004) First Employee. JaceSon Barrus, recruited from Utah to help take Artisan Center Theater to a new level. He collaborated with his wife, Tina, to introduce double casting, fast show turn-arounds and large musicals, in addition to some of the most exciting special effects and costumes in Texas. While here, DeeAnn brought JaceSon back together with his old college buddy, Aaron Siler, who was a volunteer for us. In 2006, the Barrus and Siler Families opened Plaza Theatre Company in Cleburne, TX, based upon the same principles of theater-in-the-round and family-friendly entertainment.
(1/2005) Move to Hurst. Already dealing with sold-out shows in 2004 and the closing of Sander’s Family Christmas, all the while rehearsing for the 2005 musical comedy, Nunsense, the local Fire Marshall declared the North Hills Mall was no longer safe to occupy due to a malfunctioning fire alarm. With only two days warning, Artisan Center Theater and its small staff and volunteers picked up their sets, seats and patrons and moved to the Bellaire Plaza. The 2005 opening production of Nunsense will always hold the distinction of being performed in 3 locations: First, New Years Eve at North Hills Mall (with a paid Fire Marshall to insure our safety); Second, at the Calvary Lutheran Church Cultural Hall, which was the set for 3 performances during the week we were relocating; Last but not least, Nunsense finished it’s run inside the old Pizza Inn at 420 E. Pipeline Rd. which stands as the theater’s current location today.
OTHER ARTISAN MILESTONES
Attendance:
(2003) – 8,000
(2004) – 15,000
(2005) – 27,000
(2006) – 34,000
(2007) – 40,000
(2008) – 46,000
(2009) – 54,000
(2010) – 65,000
(2006) – Open 5 nights per week. Open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
(2009) Voted #1 Children’s Theater by Nickelodeon in Dallas Fort Worth
(2009) Voted #1 Community Theater by Dallas Observer
Artie’s Playhouse growing at 200% in past two years
Economic Impact on local community estimated at over $2,000,000 annually
Over 6,000 new patrons attend an event at Artisan Center Theater each year
92% of Patrons attend from outside City limits