Hobnob getting new space on Main Street
Although the Shakespeare in the Park shows put on by Hobnob Theatre fit a popular trend, their performances in places like Preston and Butler Memorial parks had been chosen out of necessity, until now.
The founders of Hobnob Theatre, married couple Ken and Elizabeth Smith, are leasing a new space at 134 S. Main St. in Butler — which, at about 1,000 square feet, allows the couple to create a blackbox theater that will mainly be used for classes and rehearsals.
The Smiths said they will continue having performances in other venues in the area, like the Penn Theater and the Butler Art Center and Gallery, in addition to parks in the county for their Shakespeare shows.
“We're excited to get some roots down and the space gives us lots of opportunities to get lots of shows and classes,” Ken Smith said. “We plan to continue Shakespeare in the park and performances at the Penn Theater. This is a rehearsal, storage and teaching (space). We'll also do some performances there.”
The Smiths started Hobnob Theatre about 11 years ago, and Ken said the couple have been searching for a physical home for about a year. He said the space at 134 S. Main St., a blue storefront which previously housed Butler’s Great Escape, was perfect for what the theater company needed.
Deciding to lease this former storefront in particular was an easy decision for the Smiths, according to Elizabeth, who said the couple “walked in and had a vision right away that this would be a great storefront theater.” There were walls separating parts of the building from one another, but workers renovated the space, removing the walls to create a more open space that will still provide for intimate performances.
The Smiths situated chairs around the center of the room, which will allow for unique shows and immersive performances, Ken said.
Elizabeth said the couple is already planning acting classes, as well as regular improv sessions at the new space.
“We're starting at the end of January with classes for kids grades 3 to 12,” Elizabeth Smith said. “We want to have the classes year-round... we're kicking off First Friday improv, where you get together and watch or take part in improv.”
Hobnob Theatre has hosted classes in the past, and Elizabeth said there used to be an active improv comedy scene in the Butler area, which the couple hopes to regenerate interest in. The two also said they have taught children’s classes in the past, and they want to allow for more children to get involved in theater.
Ken said he and Elizabeth were compelled to find a place to host acting and theater classes in Butler because of community interest in performing arts, which he said seems to have grown even larger in recent years.
“Improv was around for a while. We were receiving requests, we understood there was a desire to offer this to kids on a regular basis,” Ken said. “Butler has a really thriving performance community in terms of live music and musicals and stage plays.”
For information on Hobnob’s upcoming classes and shows, visit the company’s website at hobnobtheatre.com.
