The Hive, a new black box theater located in the historical Ali Cultural Arts Center was unveiled on Sept. 13 with 15 minute previews of various activities that will be showcased in the venue’s near future.
The ribbon was cut at 11 a.m. and was celebrated throughout the day with goodie bags, food trucks, and some food provided by the area itself.
“This venue is more than just a performance space; it’s a meeting ground for arts enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds,” Ty Tabing, Director of The City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department, said.
One of the many art showcases was a production that happened in the same spot just a week later. Due to the intimate space of a small black box theater–characterized by the blank black floor and walls to offer a space for all types of performance–the audience wanted more from the comedic musical “Big Bad” and weren’t afraid to say so as the cast left to leave space for the next preview.
Through the Eccentrich Theater Program, a howling courtroom comedy was displayed to a receptive audience.
“Many parents came up to me after the show to say how much their child had grown through this experience,” director and cast member Jonathan “JonKel” Kelly said.
Eccentrich wanted to focus on the cast and their connection, and through bonding discovered how much of their cast played instruments which brought on a live music element of Judge Wise Old Man playing piano.
There were some obstacles before production, as the cast couldn’t use the theater until the week of the show as it was under construction. In addition, Kelly had to fill in a role due to an actor shortage. It was a large risk to throw someone in a role at such a short time, but that’s something emphasized in rehearsals–take risks and learn along the way.
Pompano Beach Arts is blooming with culture and education, with the new black box theater The Hive offering even more poets, actors, singers, and writers the ability to show their hard work to the world. The Ali Cultural Arts Center will continue to enrich the community and the arts as a whole, leaving the city buzzing with excitement.
