719 Rockhill

Arena Dinner Theatre

1922, Neoclassical

Architect: Wing & Mahurin

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Built in 1922 and originally known as The Little Art Theatre, this building first served as a gallery for the Fort Wayne Art School. It exhibits a simple, yet elegant Neoclassical exterior with tall, arched windows and an arched entry vestibule. The double doors of the main entrance are accented by a fanlight.

The theater is now run as the Arena Dinner Theatre. Formed in 1974 under the Fort Wayne Parks Department, they were then called the Fort Wayne Theatre Workshop, and were the only theater in the city performing in the round. After budget cuts at the Parks Department eliminated their funding, the group sought a new location. They spent 10 years bouncing around and performing in various city venues before finding their permanent home on Rockhill in 1995. They used grants and donations to purchase and renovate the old deteriorated facility into what it is today.

The non-profit group is now devoted to the production of live theater performed and directed by experienced actors and directors from this area. A typical year features 7 full-length theatrical productions in their theater that accommodates up to 99 patrons. Each show features a professionally-catered dinner served from their own kitchen.

Next, go back the way you came, cross Berry Street, and head East (towards the hospital) to get to the next stop.