The Main Street Theater project reimagines a 1929 historic theater block as a vibrant academic and cultural destination in downtown Fitchburg. Originally a 1,751-seat movie palace and vaudeville venue, the building had been vacant and deteriorating for decades.
Phase One, completed in 2018, delivered the Fitchburg State University Game Studio + ideaLab following a comprehensive assessment of the Theater Block. Phase Two completed full construction documents for restoration of the historic theater as a 1,200-seat performance venue with updated stage, fly loft, lobby expansion, and modern backstage infrastructure, though construction funding has not yet been secured. Phase Three proposes a flexible 200-seat black box theater to support experimental performance and instruction.
Together, the phases establish a long-term vision for reintegrating the theater into the city’s cultural and academic life.
