Although performances are held in the Black Box Theatre within Frisco Discovery Center, rehearsals mainly take place at the nonprofit’s warehouse in west Frisco.
“We're attracting actors from all over the metroplex, because they see that we're doing professional quality [performances] without the budget,” Allen said. “I think a lot of them are surprised that we have a loyal audience. They'll speak to all the actors afterwards so the actors get some recognition from someone besides their friend telling them they did a great job.”
The set up
The Black Box Theatre seats approximately 110 people. Allen said sometimes audience members are surprised at how small the space is, but then that becomes the component they treasure.
“On opening night, I make sure I'm always here or [Frisco Theatre President] Bob Zak is, so that we can welcome them personally to the theater,” Allen said. “It's an intimate setting, so they feel like they're right in the action, and sometimes they are in the action depending on how we use the space. They like the intimacy a lot.”
Theatre Frisco pays the city of Frisco to use the Black Box Theatre. Allen said within five years they would love to have their own space featuring ample storage and production space, “and, obviously, to continue producing quality shows."
The backstory
Prior to being renamed Frisco Theatre in 2017, the thespian group was named Frisco Community Theatre.
The nonprofit was started by Jack Scott 41 years ago. Zak became the board president two years ago when longtime president Howard Korn retired.
Allen directed her first play at Theatre Frisco in 2018 and became the artistic director in 2024.
Get involved
In addition to auditioning for upcoming shows, Theatre Frisco has volunteer opportunities including usher, managing props and backstage crew.
The next audition will be in February for the spring show Allen will direct titled ‘Sylvia.’
“It is a four-person show where a man finds a lost dog in a park in New York,” Allen said. “The dog is played by a human. The playwright did such an amazing job of conveying what has to be going on in a dog's mind.”
The impact
Allen said the majority of Frisco Theatre actors have full-time non-acting jobs, including teachers, hairdressers and baristas. She said in addition to a small stipend paid to the actors, other benefits, including forming lifelong friendships and learning soft skills.
“You learn communication skills not just communicating what you're feeling to an audience, but communication with your fellow performers and the technical people,” Allen said. “There are diverse personalities here but everybody has to work together as a team, and those skills translate into our day jobs.”
- 8004 Dallas Parkway, Ste. 200, Frisco
- www.theatrefrisco.com
