As theater options expand in Woodbury, “creativity and imagination expands with it.”

That’s from East Ridge High School student actor Ryan Richardson, who played a part, literally, in Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the Merrill Community Arts Center.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Ryan, a 16-year-old who will be a junior next year. He said he’s pleased that he’s been able to participate in performing arts at the school.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said.

Plans call for a 112-seat black box theater attached to the high school, said Michelle Witte with the Arts Connection, which “is really becoming the Merrill Community Arts Center.”

Dozens of people came out to East Ridge for Tuesday’s event, which began the second phase of the arts center following the summer 2011 opening of its Rivertown Drive campus.

Construction on the 3,600-square-foot black box theater is expected to be complete this fall.

“It’s exciting,” said Michael Hamerlind, president of the board of Woodbury Community Theatre, the primary patron of the space. “It really connects us into the community—not just Woodbury Community Theatre, but the whole arts offering of Woodbury.”

He went on to laud the different groups that came together—along with a $2.2 million donation from the estate of Dorothy K. Merrill—to make the new theater a reality.

“When they succeed, we succeed,” Hamerlind said.

The black box theater will be a versatile space that opens the door for dancing and musical performances, in addition to theater, he said.

District 833 School Board member Ron Kath was among those with a shovel in his hand Tuesday. He called it a win-win for the district and the area’s arts scene.

“This really is for the benefit of the community,” he said.

Kath said he often takes in performances at South Washington County Schools.

“The kids just amaze me,” he said. “You would think that they’re all professionals.”

‘City Ordinance’ Performance

In perhaps a nod to the arts center’s namesake, Dorothy K. Merrill, Witte told the crowd that there was one final ordinance issue with the city of Woodbury.

At that point, Ryan and another student came chanting out of the school dressed as minions of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz and handed Witte a broom.

The ordinance issue had been settled, she said.

A little theatricality on a day marking a new theater in Woodbury.

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