52 • Outlook 2022-23
Community theater now has a stage of its own Theatre of Dare has found a permanent place to call home. Built in 1984 the site is the former Kitty Hawk Twin Cinema at 3848 N. Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk Plaza, which then became Outer Banks Jubilee Theater and then Paparazzi OBX. With its own history of transitions, Theatre of Dare started in the Port O’Call Restaurant dining room in 1990. Over the next 30 years the production company wandered through a number of different places around the county, among them Manteo Elementary and Middle schools, the Wanchese Community Center, Days Inn, College of The Albemarle Auditorium, Lost Colony Soundstage, The Elizabethan Gardens gazebo and Roanoke Island Festival Park. Although each move required adapting to a new environment, production company members say they’ve had some great shows and great hosts. With a place located for the local theater community to put down roots, some site renovations were needed. Performing a labor of love, board members and other volunteers diligently worked to successfully move into and remodel the new location. In order to accommodate an audience of 200, seats had to be installed to replace the ones removed by a previous tenant. Other upgrades included
Courtesy Theatre of Dare
Theatre of Dare’s new permanent home, located at 3848 N. Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk.
Courtesy Theatre of Dare
Christina Jamieson and Betsy Head painting during the renovation of the Theatre of Dare. light fixtures, spackling, painting, lights, sound equipment, signage and staging. The new home also has a sizable stage, the capacity for selling tickets, a lobby where refreshments can be served, spacious restrooms and both office and storage areas. According to a Theatre of Dare media release, the new home is intended to be
a place where all performing arts can be shared and celebrated. Plans include musical acts, classes in performing arts, summer camps and much more. During a festive gathering of sponsors and patrons, the shows Mousetrap, The Man Who Came To Dinner, Urinetown, Exit Pursued By A Bear and Wizard of Wonderland were announced as the
