Atlanta comedy venue, Village Theatre, is closing its doors in its current space on Decatur Street and will host its final shows in that location on February 17 and 18, 2023, the longstanding entertainment hotspot announced Thursday in a press release.
Village Theatre has been located on Decatur Street since 2012 but has been “forced to relocate due to rising costs and other concerns,” the release states. “Negotiations with the new management were discussed but unfortunately no decision was agreed upon, culminating in the theatre to look for a new place to call home.”
Village Theatre is “seizing this opportunity to revitalize and rebuild, taking the theatre back to its original roots before the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the release. While the search for a new location is underway, Village Theatre cast members will hold pop-up performances at venues throughout Atlanta and will continue to offer regular and corporate comedy workshops to those in the community.
During its time on Decatur Street, Village Theatre expanded its cast to 120+ members, increased its show schedule to four nights a week, extended the level of comedy education through classes and workshops and founded the Atlanta Improv League, creating the next generation of comedians in Atlanta.
“It was time for Village Theatre to consider the viability of the theatre and moving to a new location will inspire and enhance what we offer to Atlanta,” Mike King, original co-owner and now Board Member of Village Theatre, said in the release. “We love making people laugh and a new venue will give us the chance to grow the theatre even more. We look forward to the future of Village Theatre and the new opportunities we will be able to offer the comedy scene.”
In 2021, Village Theatre officially became a 501 (c)(3) non-profit and created a Board of Directors. The theatre has created a GoFundMe to help raise funds for its new venue and to continue its schedule of classes and workshops.
