photo by Molly Walker

CONTACT INFO

Dog Story Theater

7 Jefferson Ave. SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Dogstorytheater@gmail.com

Box Office is open 1 hour before any event.

ABOUT

Great write-up on DST at “AWESOME MITTEN”

http://www.awesomemitten.com/lifestyle/dog-story-theater/

HISTORY

Dog Story Theater is an ALL-VOLUNTEER , 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Dog Story Theater is a VENUE and does not produce shows. Our mission is simply to provide an affordable, flexible performance space for performers, directors, writers, dancers, comedians, poets, filmmakers and musicians to showcase their work!

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QUESTION: What’s with the name?

ANSWER: One of the most frequently-asked questions we hear is “How did Dog Story Theater get its name?” A valid question indeed, since it’s an unusual name for a theater. Our name is actually derived directly from the production that helped to spawn its creation… which is The Zoo Story, by Edward Albee. (Poster by Josh Boerman.)

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QUESTION: When and how did it start?

ANSWER: Back in 2007, Dog Story founders Jay Harnish and Josh Fremer worked together on The Zoo Story when the idea of opening a theater was born.

They wanted to open a small black box theater in Grand Rapids, which would allow productions like theirs an affordable place to perform. (It’s called a black box because traditionally, these types of venues were shaped like a box and the walls were painted black.) Once they decided to start their own theater, they had to decide on a name. They chose Dog Story, which is after a 20 minute monologue in The Zoo Story, in which Jay’s character Jerry tells a story about a dog. And thus, the theater had a name.

Jay and Josh recruited the help of Amy McFadden and Becki West and became incorporated as a nonprofit organization while securing a home in downtown Grand Rapids.

After much preparation and hard work, in 2008 Dog Story Theater opened its doors for the first time. The first production was appropriately The Zoo Story, starring DST founders Jay Harnish and Josh Fremer.

Since then, Dog Story has grown and gone through many changes and new board members have joined forces with us. We moved from our temporary location at 311 State street to 1115 Taylor and are thrilled to be in our new and current location is at 7 Jefferson Ave. SE in downtown Grand Rapids.

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QUESTION: What kinds of shows perform at Dog Story Theater?

ANSWER: Dog Story has seen many different acts grace its stage. Everything from original plays like Moose Mating, Sleepy Hollow and FXIII the Musical to staged productions like Boston Marriage, True West and Tuna Christmas. We’ve worked with great companies like Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, PowerDiva Productions, Playbox Media Group and Grand Rapids Dance Project. We’ve worked with the Atomic Hoop Troupe and hosted the debut of the Rita & Velvet Dan movie. We’ve featured live music like The Interruptions and even hosted the Creolization live CD recording. Want comedy? Dog Story has been the home to shows like Old Lady Monday, The Rita & Velvet Dan Show and is currently the home of Late Night GR Sketch Comedy. Every Monday is comedy night featuring artists from River City Improv, Second City, Improv Olympic, Plant Parenthood, Fictional Friends, And more

So in a nutshell… Dog Story Theater is truly a place that has something for everyone. Come down and check us out!

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CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS:

J.J. Lindke

Liz Brand

Bill Place

Amanda Parker Dorman

Lisa Chevalia

Tom Maier

Cody Colvin

Rowan Leo

Hannah Grace

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS:

Josh Fremer

Jay Harnish

Amy McFadden

Becki West

FORMER BOARD MEMBERS:

Chelsi DeGennaro

Meagan Beitner

Julia Yob

Alastair Watt

T.J. Corbett

Chuck Fortenbacher

Joe Anderson

Clare Mahave

Bradley Briegel

Tanya Eby

Justin Lawrence

Mike Ryskamp

Emily Parr Westmaas

Dan Hawkins

Kat Hermes

Jen Hines

Eirann Betka

Brooke Bruce

Katie Fahey

Liz Merriman