(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

After 15 years providing entertaining and provocative theatrical experiences designed to challenge the Erie community, Dramashop is closing.

Leadership with the volunteer-run Dramashop announced the permanent closure on Facebook March 1.

Dramashop stated that it faced multiple challenges throughout the years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, and cycling through changes in leadership.

“COVID actually hit with what was going to be Dramashop’s 10th season,” said Zach Flock, former artistic director for Dramashop. “We were planning on having a celebratory year since folks didn’t think we’d make it one year, yet we made it 10. Then COVID hit and shut everything down. We pivoted quickly to Zoom and had to figure that out and it went pretty well.”

The following year, Flock left Erie to take a job in Pittsburgh and handed off the role of artistic director to Anna McJunkin.

“It was a smart move on the board’s part to put McJunkin in that role,” Flock said. “She didn’t miss a beat.”

It was later in July of 2024 when Dramashop moved out of the Renaissance Center at 1001 State St., a decision that was meant to be temporary according to the post. Leadership made the decision to close down permanently in 2026.

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What started Dramashop?

Dramashop began in 2011. A group of performers and board members at the Erie Playhouse saw a need in the Erie community for smaller theater.

Prior to Dramashop, there was the Roadhouse Theater and the Director’s Circle Theater in Erie. By 2011 both of those small theaters had closed which led to Flock and others seeking out a new theater that served smaller audiences.

“We got together and thought about doing shows that won’t sell 500 seats like the Erie Playhouse needs to be viable but that might sell 25 to 30 tickets a night,” Flock said. “These would be plays that weren’t commercial hits but only had artistic value. We thought there would be an audience out there but not a huge audience.”

It was in October of 2011 that Dramashop took the stage. The first production was “Reasons to Be Pretty” by Neil LaBute.

What’s next for Dramashop?

On Dramashop’s Facebook page, leaders stated that in the coming days steps will be taken to officially dissolve Dramashop.

“While we know this news may be disappointing, we are so fortunate to live in a vibrant theatre community, and that community will never cease to exist,” Dramashop officials posted on Facebook. “Neither will the memories of the great work we did together, and the even greater bonds we formed.”

The memories of Dramashop will remain on Facebook as Flock and McJunkin have decided to keep the page running.

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“It may have not lasted forever, but while it did, it was this wonderful thing,” Flock said. “Many people in the community embraced it. While there’s sadness that it’s going away, we were really lucky that it was here for the time it was.”

Nicholas Sorensen can be reached at Nsorensen@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What led to the closing of Dramashop in Erie?