MISSION & OVERVIEW
Door Community Auditorium serves as a center to enrich, entertain, and challenge through a balanced combination of performing, visual, and literary arts; and to provide opportunities for social, educational, and cultural growth.
Home of unforgettable experiences, Door Community Auditorium (DCA) is Door County’s year-round venue for performing arts, entertainment, cultural and educational activities. DCA is recognized as a 501(c) 3 organization and supported by Door County visitors and residents through ticket sales, sponsorship, membership and volunteer labor.
PROGRAMS
Main Stage Season
Annually, DCA presents a Main Stage Season featuring 10-15 nationally-recognized concert artists and touring productions. The Main Stage Season coincides with Door County’s bustling and vibrant tourist season.
Community Performances and Partnerships
DCA enjoys strong partnerships with two well-respected Door County performing arts organizations, Peninsula Music Festival and American Folklore Theatre, both of whom take up residence at the auditorium during the summer and early fall. DCA is also the venue of choice for many community groups and regional promoters.
St. Norbert Lecture Series
During the winter months, St. Norbert College professors lead a series of five, free lectures providing an in-depth exploration of topics of personal expertise, community interest and national relevance.
Fireside Coffeehouse Series
Regional performing artists are featured in the intimate atmosphere of DCA’s Fireside Lobby. Candlelight, coffee and gourmet desserts complete this Door County winter experience.
Exhibits at The Link
The Link Gallery is an exhibition area linking the adjacent Gibraltar Schools and the Door Community Auditorium. The Link provides a space for exhibits exploring ideas in the humanities, the creative arts, history, the sciences, the world around us and the world beyond. Exhibits feature members of all areas of the community, endeavoring to promote learning and understanding.
Gibraltar Schools
Students are stars at DCA. Throughout the school year, Gibraltar Schools’ theater and music programs consistently inspire, impress and entertain friends, family and the year-round Door County community.
Movies at The Door
Free movies are the latest addition to DCA’s menu of programs. Plans for the future of the series are currently unfolding. E-mail director@dcauditorium.org with your suggestions for films and themes.
HISTORY
The DCA dream took shape in 1988. What Door County needed was a professional performance facility to replace Gibraltar school’s tiny old gymnasium – a place for school plays, assemblies, graduations and honors ceremonies.
The creation of a year-round community center for the arts for Door County began when ground was broken in 1990. More than 1,200 individuals, businesses, organizations and foundations contributed $2.7 million during a two-year fundraising campaign. The 750-seat Door Community Auditorium opened in May 1991, providing a state-of-the-art facility for the performing, visual and literary arts.
This season, the Door Community Auditorium celebrates its 20th Anniversary. This milestone gives DCA a chance to recognize the community’s vision, dedication and hard work. It presents an occasion to acknowledge and celebrate two decades of unforgettable experiences and community fellowship. And, the commemoration provides an opportunity for champions of the auditorium to dream and envision how DCA will best serve Door County in the future.
