Two days before Davenport Junior Theatre hosts its first theater and dance classes at its new Kimberly Campus, it is inviting the public to tour and celebrate that remodeled 1002 W. Kimberly Road programming space on Saturday, Sept. 6
The 1-4 p.m. tour of the Kimberly Campus and the startup of classes there on Monday, Sept. 8, marks the completion of Davenport Junior Theatre program’s move from the former Annie Wittenmyer campus on Davenport’s Eastern Avenue.
Funding for the $1.6 million renovation comes from interest on the City of Davenport’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The relocation followed the council’s OK on Dec. 11, 2024, of a lease agreement with the Davenport Community School District for temporary use of the Kimberly Center property.
Davenport Junior Theatre program staff designed and renovated the space. It includes six theater classrooms, two dance rehearsal rooms, one tumble room, staff offices, and designated storage areas for costumes, props, and production equipment.
“My favorite part about our new Junior Theatre programming space is how inclusive and welcoming it is,” said Zach Meyer, performing arts supervisor. “Being on one level makes our program more accessible to everyone, and bringing all of our classes together under one roof creates a wonderful sense of community.”
290 students register
During the open house Saturday, parents and supporters will meet staff, view the classrooms, and learn about Junior Theatre programming.
The first session of classes in the building includes more than 290 students registered for 30 different classes including, but not limited to, acting, improv, ballet, and tumbling. While classes are all located at the new DJT Kimberly Campus, performances will remain at the Mary Fluhrer-Nighswander Theatre at Annie Wittenmyer. Fall programming wraps up in mid-December.
The new location was needed after the conditional conveyance of the Annie Wittenmeyer complex to AW Holdings.
That company plans to turn the historic Wittenmyer property and other buildings there into a $40 million, 99-unit senior and family housing complex.
Under that plan, the Junior Theatre will use the former chapel for performance space. A lease agreement was just approved in August by the Davenport City Council that ensures the Fluhrer-Nighswander Theatre will remain available for its mainstage productions.
Davenport Junior Theatre offers classes for all ages in Acting, Musical Theatre, Improv, Playwriting, Design, Magic, Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Tap, Tumbling, Lyrical, Poms, and Lyrical.
