Grand Opening for Woodbury Arts Center's New Theater

Woodbury residents will have the chance Friday to check out the second phase of the Merrill Community Arts Center—a black box theater connected to East Ridge High School.

Construction on the 112-seat, 3,600-square-foot theater began last June, following the opening of the arts center’s Rivertown Campus, an 8,000-square-foot facility that includes space for set design and construction, storage and rehearsals.

About $2.2 million for the arts center came from the estate of late Woodbury resident Dorothy K. Merrill. The plans have been in the works for more than five years.

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Dubbed “A Celebration of the HeART,” the Friday, Feb. 22, event is set to begin at 6 p.m. Tickets (the cost varies) can be purchased online or by calling 651-402-3184.

From 6-8 p.m., people will be able to tour the new theater. There will be “food, fun and folly as we celebrate the grand opening of this wonderful performing arts gem in our community,” according to a release. “The evening will also feature a small ensemble from East Metro Symphony Orchestra, a silent auction, and a wonderful display from our arts history.”

From 8-9 p.m., Woodbury Community Theatre will perform a retrospective of the arts center’s journey, and look into its future.

From 9-9:30 p.m., guests are asked to head over to the second campus at 380 Rivertown Drive.

From 9-11:30 p.m., people can check out the Rivertown facility. There will be a full open beer and wine bar and the singing Broadway tunes around a piano.

For more information—or to donate a bottle of wine for a “Wall of Wine” drawing or an item for a silent auction—email info@merrillartscenter.org or call Michelle Witte, director of operations, at 651-402-3184.

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