Treehouse Theater, a youth performing arts group, has invested in downtown Manitowoc by purchasing the old Antique Mall at 910 Washington Street. According to Executive Director Karen Rohrer, Treehouse Theater will be moving their operation into the 11,000 square foot space. The non-profit for kids ages 4-to-18 has been in operation for 7-years. For the past 5 years, they have rented an old warehouse in the former Kresge Building at the corner of S. 8th and Franklin.
Rohrer explains “We’d rather become owners and really truly invest in the community so that we can ensure that we will be here for a long period of time. We’re trying to emulate the Masquer’s who have been in our community for almost 90 years.”
Rohrer says the performing arts group tries to do three musicals a year. “We have produced 20 youth theater musicals in 7 years. To do 3 musicals a year is really aggressive and each of those casts is completely unique.” She also explained that kids involved in Treehouse Theater are “learning tons of life-skills, just like other extra-curricular activities.”
Community volunteers will complete ‘most’ of the renovation efforts, creating an ‘expansive’ community youth arts complex.
