The seats were filled, the energy was high, and the talent was supreme. The Gray Box Theater (GBT) had its premiere performance and quickly proved it is a player in the local performing arts scene.

Tituss Burgess became the opening act for the new venue and proved the perfect choice. The fierce actor-writer-singer didn’t come to perform, he came to interact. His powerful voice and sense of sass won over the audience.

In addition to belting out big hits, Burgess also worked the crowd, taking questions and getting honest. One person asked about his dream role, and Burgess said he hasn’t performed it yet, and may need to write it himself.

Of course, his performance is the high note on a crescendo that’s been building for months. GBT is a renovated performance space that has been dormant for years. The GBT crew spent hundreds of thousands of dollars getting it up to code and suitable for professional productions and performers.

“To see this vision come to life, a space that just months ago was an empty shell, and to watch it transform into a vibrant home for live performance and community connection was deeply emotional,” co-founder Gary Van Horn said.

Everyone was excited. Aside from the patrons who get to be part of the first night of something new, the crew was excited. From Patrik Gallineaux at the front door in glittering GBT gear to Bud Beehler putting out any possible last minute fires to Kal Gajraj working the crowd to make sure everyone was happy, you could feel that everyone had an unspoken, vested interest in seeing the dream become a reality.

There were expensive hiccups along the way, most notably a plumbing issue that required some excavation in the performance hall. The schedule was juggled, repairs were made, and with the dust barely settled, literally, they opened with a national star.

GBT fills a space in the local performing arts scene. It’s bigger than the black box theaters on Dixie Hwy., but not as cavernous as nearby spaces like The Parker or the Amaturo Theater at The Broward Center.

While the chairs are comfy and new, they’re also movable. GBT can rearrange its floor plan to accommodate different types of events, of which Van Horn says is the point of the space.

“[This show] set the tone for what the Gray Box Theater stands for: artistry, authenticity, and unity. This theater was built by the community, for the community, and opening our doors for the very first time reminded all of us why the arts matter.”

Screenshot via OutSFL Live, YouTube.