Ambrosia Theater works to provide small, intimate, flexible performance space

Sarah Mayne has been running Bellydance Grand Rapids (959 Lake Drive SE) in the Blackport Building on Lake Drive for 10 years starting on the first floor until seven years ago when she moved to a larger space upstairs. But as her dance business grew, so did her need for a performance space to accompany it. 

Not finding many options already available, Mayne opened Ambrosia Theater this summer on the second floor of the Blackport building, right next door to the bellydance class space. 

"All of my dancers needed a performance venue, and we were lacking in someplace intimate and small," says Mayne. "So I took on the crazy endeavor to build one."

The entire space, which seats 72, is newly created, from the hardwood floors to the handmade sconces to customized doors made locally. She designed the space to be fully configurable, which makes it able to house multiple kinds of meetings and performances.

"We really cater to a smaller, intimate feel," says Mayne. "You're not going to find the type of thing here that you would at Civic Theatre where you have huge sets built. This is more about the performers and the focus on them."

Mayne aims to provide a venue at a reasonable cost with a neighborhood feel, for those who need something smaller, want to avoid the congestion of downtown and parking costs. Mayne enjoys being centered in a neighborhood that's growing with restaurant options for attendees to enjoy before or after performances in her space.

"I hope for people to find it as a meeting ground, be it for artistic performance or just a new place to host their events," she says. "

The next event at Ambrosia Theater is the Sideshow Freak Flick Film Fest, a two day event with feature films along with some films that have never been seen before. Tickets can be purchased online.