Reviewed by: Lisa Battles
How Fantasy Playhouse is elevating its theater experience with a new home in Merrimack Mill Village
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Since recently catching Fantasy Playhouse’s production of “A Wrinkle in Time,” I’ve been eagerly awaiting the beloved local theater’s next program schedule.
And better yet, Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy (FPCTA) is kicking off the Fall 2025 season in a brand new location! Read on to learn where to find them now, how the guest experience is improving and what shows you can look forward to.
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Bringing magic to Huntsville since 1961
Founded in 1961, the nonprofit has been vital in cultivating Huntsville’s arts and theater community. Aside from its popular live productions, FPCTA inspires future generations of performers through year-round programming.
Over the last 60 years, FPCTA has become a pillar for family-oriented entertainment at their longtime stage, The Playhouse at the VBC (psst: the holiday showings are a must).
Now, the theater invites the community to its new location in Huntsville, with even more magic to share.
Fantasy Playhouse opens new location at Merrimack Hall
Swipe to take a look inside the new building and backstage. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)
On August 13, FPCTA celebrated the official opening of its new home “on the Boulevard” within historic Merrimack Mill Village (across the street from University Pickers).
📍 3320 SW Triana Blvd, Huntsville, AL 35805
Karen Mockensturm, CEO of FPCTA, shared a heartfelt thank you to a packed house at the ribbon cutting.
“We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to purchase and renovate the historic Merrimack Hall. We are confident that this creative placemaking will improve the quality of life for the immediate Merrimack Mills Neighborhood and beyond.”
Karen Mockensturm, CEO of Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy
The strategic move was announced in October 2024 after 10 years of planning and advocating. The larger locations allows the theater to expand its programming and make theater more accessible.
The new location features:
- 278-seat theater
- 6 classrooms
- Dance studio/black box
- Private lesson studio
- Preschool suite
- + more
- Catering area + office suite
- Concessions + merch stands
Guest experience improving with more parking, accessibility + more
The 278-seat theater is now more accessible. (Ben Johnson / Hville Blast)
With this expansion, FPCTA can now better accommodate patrons of all ages and abilities.
How the guest experience will improve:
- 100% ADA accessible (including parking, seating, elevator + clear entry points)
- Free + close parking (with overflow at University Pickers)
- More bathrooms + concessions
- Including a preschool-scale bathroom
- Additional productions + community events
With more space comes more opportunities for FPCTA to host events and increase their programming.
“FPCTA is taking advantage of this growth opportunity to expand its live theatre offerings, introducing Friday evening Improv Nights with Open to Suggestions, and launching a monthly Family Film series.”
Karen Mockensturm, CEO of Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy
With these additional accommodations and affordable events, FPCTA hopes to introduce theater to new audiences.
Upcoming programming
During my recent tour of the new location, I learned the first ever FPCTA production was Cinderella. The first show in the new building, coincidentally, is also Cinderella. Find tickets to that show and more below.
NEW: Upcoming events
- Cocktails Under the Stars Fundraiser: August 16
- Open to Suggestions: Improv Night every Friday 7-10PM
- Family Film series: first showing on August 23
- 🗓️ View full events calendar
Upcoming Main Stage productions
- Cinderella: October 17-19 + 24-26, 2025
- A Christmas Carol: December 5-7 + 11-14, 2025
- Winnie the Pooh: The Musical: February 20-22, February 27-March 1, 2026
- Descendants: The Musical: June 5-7, 12-14 + 19-21, 2026
- 🎟️ Get a season pass
NEW: Theater for Young Audiences Series
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream: September 25-26, 2025
- A Not So Scary Christmas Carol: December 10, 2025
- Anansi the Spider: February 6-7, 2026
- Story Time Pirates: Yo-Ho Dough: April 8-9, 2026
Upcoming programs
- Fall Semester Classes: August 18-November 17
- Offered Monday-Thursday to ages 2-18
- Fall Break Camp:
- Offered this fall to ages 3-15
- Reach out to education@fantasyplayhouse.com for more info
- Private Lessons + Workshops
- Trained staff offer private lessons in voice, acting, dance + audition/college prep
Ready to experience the new space? Purchase a season pass or check out the new programming and events at Merrimack Hall!
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