In 2020, a small community arts
center with an annual operating budget of under $400k received a
3.2 million dollar donation.
Now it’s closed.
What happened?
Solving a Mystery &
Preserving A Legacy
American Theatre is in crisis. Not since the 2008 recession has America seen so many theatres—theatres of all shapes, sizes, and from communities all across America—close. American Theatre Magazine and the NYTimes have done extensive reporting on the unique challenges currently facing the theatre industry. In this sense, the closing of Prescott, Arizona’s longest running community theatre is not unique to much of what is happening across the nation. What is unique is that we have an opportunity to document Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts closing in real time, to analyze (and learn from) the events that led to it’s closure, and to ensure that the organization is remembered as the robust cultural epicenter that it was. From the organization’s conception as the Prescott Fine Arts Association in 1968, to its final moments as Suze’s Prescott Center For the Arts, this organization has touched countless lives. SACRED GROUND will tell the story of “Everybody’s hometown” theatre through interviews with the many (many) artists who have worked there and the patrons and audience members who have sustained it.
An
organization in
crisis
Chronicling the collapse that never should have happened.
A Cultural Cornerstone
Originally called the Prescott Fine Arts Association, Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts has been a feature of Prescott’s downtown since 1968.
Volunteers Make It Happen
We speak to the people who made Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts what it was.
The Legacy
What comes next for Prescott’s Theatre community?
More to come…
Discover the rich history of Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts through intimate interviews and captivating stories. This website will continue to populate with images, clips, and updates as production progresses.
A Storied Past
When a church gets a second life…
Celebrating Theatrical Heritage
Prescott’s theatre began here
Showcasing Prescott’s Artists
Prescott’s Talent
Exploring Theatre Life
Ephemera from shows past
Discover Sacred Ground
Don’t miss this chance to explore the legacy of Suze’s Prescott Center for the Arts. Join us in documenting this iconic theatre’s story.