SPOKANE, Wash. — After 20 years calling the Garland Business District home, Spokane’s longest-running improv theatre, Blue Door Theatre, is moving locations to one of downtown’s most unique, unusual, and historic buildings.
“The character of it is such a good match for what we do,” Blue Door Theatre Board President Jim Mohr said.
Founded in 1996, Blue Door has brought life to Spokane through the act of improv, welcoming performers and audience members of all personalities. Every Friday and Saturday, hosting comedy shows for only nine dollars a pop.
“This is where everything happens, right in here,” Mohr said.
Opening his arms wide in the small, but mighty, black-box theatre, Mohr said Blue Door performers bring components of reality to every show, immersing the audience in a unique way each night.
And while many may think improv only suits the extroverted, those who are not afraid to be under the spotlight, Mohr said that is simply not the case.
“People come here looking for a fun show, a good show, and that’s what we provide – they get to forget everything happening outside and just focus on the performers,” he said. “All those components come in for a great night at the Blue Door.”
Tucked between shops from today’s age and yesterday’s, across the street from Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle, Blue Door has created a home near the corner of Post and Garland. But after two decades, it’s time for something different.
“We have enjoyed our time here, we’ve really loved it,” Mohr said. “It’s going to be hard not coming here anymore, but we’re also experiencing growth, and it’s time for a change.”
Last Thursday, Blue Door announced they will have a new home come the new year, in Spokane’s downtown Milk Bottle which was originally created by Benewah Dairy.
Mohr said this change is not because the Garland District isn’t a lovely spot to be, full of character and charisma, but simply, the theatre needs more space to perform and teach classes. Over the last five years, Blue Door has seen a 273% increase in attendance of its adult classes and a 106% increase in its teen classes.
The demand for more space is growing – and just in time, the Milk Bottle came calling to Blue Door.
The theatre’s current location is a 2,500-square-foot venue with only 69 seats available; the Milk Bottle building, once renovated, will hold two performance spaces in its 7,000-square-foot space, with a 90-seat main stage and a 50-seat black-box theatre.
“We just thought, ‘this could be a new home, this is perfect,’” Mohr said.
Mohr said when he and his team first learned the Milk Bottle was up for grabs – currently home to Stepping Stones Pediatric Therapy – he wasn’t quite sure the building would be a good fit for Blue Door.
“I wasn’t sure it would actually work, but I really wanted to see it,” he said. “And as soon as I walked in, I saw all the potential. From the open space, which could be a nice lounge area, to where the stage could go, to the classrooms, all of it, it just fell into place.”
A building brimming with character and history paired with Spokane’s longest-lasting improv theatre, a perfect match.
Mohr said Blue Door’s first performance in the downtown Milk Bottle will be on Jan. 5 – just in time to kick off 2024. For more information on upcoming shows, visit the Blue Door’s website.
