The Duff/McDaniel Blackbox Theatre

 

With the generous help of State Representative Frank McDaniel. The Duff/McDaniel Black Box Theatre is an alternate performance space that will serve the theatre in a variety of ways.

 

In professional and university theatre programs the black box is considered by many to be a place where more "pure" theatre can be explored, with the most human and least technical elements being in focus.

 

In 1998 the WBS created “A Little Moore Theatre”, then our version of a Black Box theatre. It was used for children's theatre classes, smaller productions, additional rehearsal space, and even as expanded dressing rooms. In 2004, “A Little Moore Theatre” was temporarily displaced due to the main stage renovation with the commitment from the Board of Directors to reinstate the smaller alternate space in a later phase of our renovation.

 

Frank McDaniel, who was instrumental in obtaining funding for the main stage renovation of the WBS, has always maintained a commitment to help us complete our renovation projects for the theatre. Representative McDaniel tells WBS founder Dot Moore that the monies for this project came from the original bond issue created in the early 2000s for the preservation of Alabama historical sites. The Whole Backstage building, “The Old Rock School” is on the national register of historic sites in Alabama.

 

Duke’s Contracting of Albertville won the bid for this project and did a fabulous job in the physical renovation of this area.

 

We are excited about the possibilities this space provides. A formal ribbon cutting, dedication, and reception was held on October 23, 2010, with the Mayor of Guntersville, Representative McDaniel and Millie Duff, wife of the late John Duff in attendance.