An article on the Sunday Butler Eagle’s front page no doubt thrilled the many folks in Butler who are always looking for a place to pursue their penchant for performance.

Hobnob Theatre performs Shakespeare in the Park at outdoor venues like Preston and Butler Memorial parks, but now Ken and Elizabeth Smith, founders of Hobnob Theatre, have found a storefront on South Main Street in Butler where they can rehearse, have classes and put on small shows without worrying about the threat of rain.

The couple plans to hold mainly acting classes and rehearsals in the new building, which will allow them to add the Penn Theater and Butler Art Center and Gallery to their list of performance venues.

The Smiths, who have been looking for a physical space for about a year, immediately had a clear vision of how the 1,000 square-foot spot on South Main could be used when they first viewed it.

They envision unique shows and immersive performances at the storefront theater in the future, and plan to hold improv sessions and acting classes for anyone who is interested.

The pair has offered children’s acting classes in the past, and hope to get more young people interested in theater via classes at the new venue.

Ken Smith said interest in performing arts has grown in the Butler area, so he hopes to attract anyone looking to try their hand at the stage to the venue for a class or improv session.

While it is technically outside the boundaries of the new Butler Cultural Center, which is in the northern part of the Main Street area, the addition of Hobnob Theatre to the city can only bolster that project as well.

Hobnob Theater plans to perform at the newly renovated Penn Theater, which is an anchor of the district.

The Butler Eagle looks forward to sharing with the public the classes, performances and other artistic activities to be undertaken at Hobnob Theater, which can only add to the diversity of businesses on Main Street and provide additional opportunities for citizens.

— PG