Herbert L. Williams Theater at the UW-Green Bay Marinette campus. PC: Fox 11 Online
MARINETTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Renovations to the Herbert L. Williams Theatre and the Fine Arts Gallery are ensuring the life of the building, and the arts, in Marinette live on.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Sunday at the UW-Green Bay Marinette campus to mark the occasion.
“This building is a, it’s a gem in the community. Almost anybody you go out to and talk to in the community has a memory at Theatre on the Bay,” said Lauryn Albaugh, Director of the Herbert L. Williams Theatre. It’s a huge pride of who we are and we’re really honored about that.”
Upgrades included modernizing the theatre’s lights, sound, and seats.
The renovations were made possible by $600,000 from Marinette County and more than two dozen donors, including Tom Westlund.
“We really have great productions here, and it’s good for the community to have this here,” said Westlund.
These upgrades come as the University will be ending in-person learning at the Marinette branch campus.
UW-Green Bay has emphasized in the past that it wants to maintain a presence in the area.
The theatre looks to be at least one part of that promise.
“The chamber of commerce has had a relationship with the UW since it’s been here. We look for that to continue in the future with the Theatre on the Bay. I know they’re looking at expanding some of the performances and services,” said Jacqueline Boudreau, Executive Director/CEO of the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce.
Much of the work put on at the theatre is done by volunteers, many of which are from Marinette.
The theatre was built in 1968, and the community hopes it will continue to serve the area for many years to come.
“It’s really important to this community that this facility stay here and continue to thrive,” said Boudreau.
Comments