your first look at Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre's new space!

by Gil Benbrook

Last weekend Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre held the last performance at their former home of twelve years on Scottsdale Road. Their new space, inside the Scottsdale Fashion Square in the former Harkins movie theatre space, will open in just a couple of weeks with performances of Cinderella: A Ragtime Musical on August 18th followed by Barefoot in the Park a week later on August 25th. As the space nears completion we've got your first look at what DST has in store for their two new theatres.

The total size of the new theatre space is approximately 12,000 square feet, which is almost double the size of their former space, with higher seating capabilities in both of their two theatres as well as a larger lobby area.

Cullity Hall, the larger of the two spaces, above, which will house the Main Stage, Next Stage, and On Stage productions, will seat 219 people, a large increase over the former space which sat 137.  Not only is there a larger seating capacity but also an increased playing space along with new audio and lighting capabilities.

Their second stage, the Actors Cafe, below, while still intimate with a seating capacity of 58, will have almost a 20% larger seating capacity than the former space.

DST held numerous fundraisers over the past 18 months as part of their "Next Stage" campaign, in order to move into their new space but there are sill numerous donations available. CLICK HERE for more information on how you can help DST underwrite the renovations for their new world class space.

Also, there also a few naming rights within the theatre still available. Please contact Linda Barton at linda@desertstages.org if you're interested in supporting DST and helping them

photos by Virginia Olivieri