Our History

Our Proud History

THEARTRE NORTH has a proud and long history in Ironwood and the Gogebic/Iron Range.  It has survived through many changes of people, places and time.  It is One of the few oldest most continuous running Community Theatres in the United States.

Theatre North began in 1964 after a group of local people who not only loved theatre but helped on the musical “Gypsy” at the Indianhead Mt. barn the summer of that year.  Officially, a group of these local people created a charter and Theatre North was born in the fall of 1964 when it presented its first production “Blithe Spirit” at the Kaleva Hall on Aurora Street in Ironwood.  Admission was $1.00.  Three or four productions continued annually there and at the Memorial Building until 1966 when the group purchased the Scandinavian Hall (Eagles Hall) on McLeod Street in Downtown Ironwood.  They turned the upstairs into an intimate space with over 130 seats and produced over 70 productions for 22 years, through 1986.  When the doors were closed that year, the season continued at a local restaurant/supper club and at the Historic Ironwood Theatre.  In 2019/2020 season of COVID, Theatre North held 2 of its normal 3 shows, then had to shut down “The Wind in the Willows” without performing that show.  The theatre went dark for the first time ever through the 2020/2021 season, only able to offer some virtual performance vignettes online on Facebook for the public to enjoy.

In 1987 Theatre North purchased its current home on Lake Street in Ironwood, the old Bark-River Culvert and Equipment building (formerly a Coca-Cola bottling plant in the 1940’s).  The summer of 1987 was spent completely transforming/renovating the building with the support of many local businesses and community members.  Theatre North’s board members provided hundreds of volunteer hours turning the building into a first class intimate theatre space for its audience members to view its productions.  Rehearsals for the season opener of “Oliver” were held at other locations while the building was being completed.  The electricians barely finished their work when the doors opened for audience members to see “Oliver” in November 1987.

Over the years, maintenance work and upgrades continued.  In 1994 the roof was replace and again in 2010.  In 2003 the exterior of the building was painted with murals by local artists.  New stage curtains were purchased, back stage was upgraded, a new storage building was added to house costumes and props, sound and lighting equipment were upgraded, walls were painted and repainted, carpeting was replaced and another storage building for the lumber was added.  Over the years more upgrades were made in the sound and lighting equipment.  In 2024 air conditioning was added to the auditorium and the stage floor was replaced for this first time since the opening of the theatre.  Work always continues with a 15 member hard working Board of Directors who all have a job to do along with producing quality live entertainment for the community!  In over 60+ seasons Theatre North has produced over 190+ shows!