46 | theburgnews.com | 12.19
"We've come a long way from our
place at Jonestown Road," said Anne
Alsedek, co-founder of Open Stage of Harrisburg
and the Alsedek eatre School.
Some 34 years ago, Open Stage began as a kitchen
table idea and turned into a theater school on
Jonestown Road. It eventually situated itself as a
100-seat theater tucked beneath a parking garage
in downtown Harrisburg. You may remember its
humble façade across from the austere lobby, leading
to the garage's elevator.
Today, Open Stage's new expansion impressively
lights up the outside alley on Court Street, its
revamped "Open Your Mind" logo sign glowing like
an encouraging dare.
"We wanted a space that would be comfortable for
audiences and engaging for artists," said Producing Artistic
Director Stuart Landon. "Our artists are our family."
e outside walls facing the alley hold one of the
city's many murals—an abstract arrangement of
multi-colored bubbles, triangles and paint strokes.
Harrisburg mixed media artist Ryan Spahr designed
the mural. Combining Russian constructivism and
Fauvism with an element of whimsy, Spahr strove to
channel an abstract representation along with a free
flow of thoughts and ideas.
"e color palette mirrors the re-branding of the theater,"
he said. "I also wanted to play off of the shapes of the new
logo and go with a more sleek, industrial design."
open staGe, Re-maDe
An expansion, a new look for Harrisburg's
venerable downtown theater. | bY gInA nAPoLI
