Performing Arts Theater In Wantagh To Close

WANTAGH, NY — The curtains are closing for a small performing arts theater in Wantagh that aims to put on innovative productions and stimulating and challenging plays. After opening on Wantagh Avenue eight years ago, Eastline Theatre announced Monday on Facebook that it plans to close the Wantagh location in 2020 following its production of "Indecent."

During its time at the location, the theater watched the "extraordinary come to life" and fostered a community of artists who wanted to push the boundaries of performance art, the nonprofit wrote.

"As bittersweet as this announcement may be, we wanted to assure our family that this recent development will only embolden us," the theater wrote. "EastLine is more than a space, it is an ideal that we will continue to strive for no matter what, no matter where.

Eastline is a 42-seat black-box, not-for-profit theater led by Daniel Higgins, the organization wrote on its website. The theater aims to produce groundbreaking performances on Long Island through its "Mainstage Shows" and "Spotlight Series." Eastline has produced regional premiers of shows including the Tony Award-winning play, "Oslo."

Newsday reported the theater couldn't get a public assembly permit from The Town of Hempstead after gaining nonprofit status in 2017. Susan Berkowitz, vice president at the theater, told the newspaper the organization is now looking for a larger space with more resources to put on more "interesting" productions.