Woodburn Theatre takes next step in reconstruction at BHSU

Spearfish, S.D. (KELO) — Black Hills State University is in the middle of a major renovation to its historical Woodburn Theater.

This year students in the theatre program at Black Hills State University have had to navigate the construction of their Woodburn Theatre.

“In theatre, we’ve got to be kind of game for everything. Because everything changes in a moment’s notice when you’re in theatre, you know what I mean. So it’s been good to watch the students learn how to navigate that situation, because a lot of them come in very structured,” theatre instructor Casey Hibbert said.

Records reveal Noem’s state credit card spending

The reconstruction project is estimated to cost just north of $3 million.

The Woodburn Theatre at Black Hills State University has been standing for over 100 years, and the last time it has seen any major renovations has been nearly 70 years. With this new quality of life and state-of-the-art improvements, students are going to have an easier time learning today’s technology.

Additions to the theatre include new seating, lighting and sound technology and a garage door that will help get sets on and off the stage with greater ease. 

“And we’re getting some of that core technology that professional theatres use now in the field. So we will be able to set up students for success now here in this small program if they want to go out and work in that field,” Hibbert said.

Once construction is complete, over 400 seats will be available, including the return of balcony seating.

This project is estimated to be completed by the spring semester of 2026, but it could be completed as early as this upcoming fall.