Dad’s Garage Theatre Company will host a grand opening of the facility’s new exterior entryway and patio in conjunction with the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association (O4WNA) on Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m.
This over 3000-square-foot addition to the original 12,000-square-foot theatre is the first major renovation completed at Dad’s Garage since renovations in 2015, according to a press release.
“Dad’s Garage is in a unique position to connect the past and present through social bonds, programming, and its physical space,” Dad’s Garage Managing Director Katie Pelkey said in a statement. “Dad’s Garage has a storied history, but is also a touchpoint for arts lovers past and present—and we’re endeavoring to take it into the future with robust programming and initiatives for all ages.”
“This patio is a physical manifestation of the positive change we want to continue to provide as we enact our mission to transform people, communities, and perspectives through laughter,” Pelkey continued.
While Dad’s Garage was founded in 1995, it moved into a former church building on Edgewood Avenue in the Old Fourth Ward in 2013 after its original location in nearby Inman Park was repurposed to accommodate a mixed-use development.
“We’re excited to use this space as a way to interface with the community as more than a comedy theatre and hangout space before and after our shows,” Artistic Director Jon Carr said. “We plan to use the new patio as a space for community activations, social gatherings, wellness initiatives, and a place for Old Fourth Ward to prosper and flourish.”
The theatre’s new exterior includes a raised patio, exterior stage, seating, bike racks, new walking trails and stairs, and refreshed landscaping as well as electrical improvements to the theatre’s exterior.
The new exterior improvements were partially funded by the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities grant awarded by the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget as part of a program to invest in neighborhood features, including parks, recreation facilities, sidewalks, and healthy food access.
CORE Landscape designed the improved entry space and performed the majority of the work on the project, including grading, concrete pouring, landscaping, tree planting, water management, and installing electrical outlets with support from Wiring Solutions.
