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The Historic Howmet Playhouse |
In
the heart of Whitehall's Theater District, the
stately, 400-seat
Howmet Playhouse
has all the right elements for a Quiet Faith production. Built
nearly 90 years ago, Whitehall residents performed on the playhouse stage along
side such Hollywood Movie Stars as
Mary Pickford
in a group called the White Lake Dramatic Club.
The
playhouse is very different from most small town theatres in that it boasts a
plaster "Kappeldome". The dome, named after a famous German theatre designer,
allows for easier projection of performers. There are only a handful of theatres
with these domes left in the world, and the Playhouse is one of them. The dome
is still present in the theatre, which throughout its 87 years of existence, has
not changed dramatically.
In 1973 the
theatre was slated for sale or demolition, it was then Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp
secured the option to buy the Playhouse and renovate it. It was
owned and operated by Blue Lake under the name The Howmet Playhouse. It has housed local high school and church productions, touring shows,
community theatre, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp theater productions, and a variety of other
endeavors.
In December of 2006, the City of Whitehall took ownership of the Howmet Playhouse and is operating it as a year-round venue. In October, 2008, Cindy Beth Davis was hired to manage the Howmet Playhouse for the City.
For directions to the Howmet Playhouse, 304 S. Mears, Whitehall, MI, visit Mapquest.