United they stand

The company members have also been working to renovate the space guests see when they enter the front door. Bookcases have been turned around, and artworks have been mounted on the back.

"My vision was when people walk through the door I wanted people to feel they were in a creative environment," Rusch said.

He wanted the space to be a lounge with theater posters and a couple of pieces of art, but resident director Gideon Potter and managing director Joan Turner wanted to bring in works by professional artists.

"The gallery came as a result of wanting to create a multi-disciplined art center as much as possible under the umbrella of the theater company," Potter said. "I have friends who are fine artists, and I am always trying to promote their work and art in general."

Combining art and theater is a perfect marriage, he added.

"You have an audience there for the show, so there's no reason not to immerse them in a total art environment," Potter said. "We look forward to welcoming interested artists and audiences to a place that is singing and dancing with energy."