ODESSA, Texas — For 48 years, Dominic Lopez and his family have been able to call the Permian Playhouse home.
"When we first moved here my parents were looking for some kind of activity for us, so they signed my brothers and I up and all of us have been involved at the playhouse in one point or another," said Lopez.
His first time taking center stage is where he found his love for theater.
"It started a lifelong love of theater and acting," Lopez said. "I even lived in New York for a few years doing theater up there I directed a sketch comedy up there. Then I came back and did some shows I developed up there, I did them here at the Permian Playhouse."
For Blake Rogers, she was able to find her voice as a performer.
"I had the pleasure of doing multiple shows on the stage," Rogers said.
While also inspiring the younger generation to find their voice.
"I got to teach the kaleidoscope company kids the theater kids there and I got to help as well with the high school students got to go on trip to New York with kids," Rogers said. "I feel like the playhouse is such a beautiful space physically because the arts in general are a safe place but that theater specifically I got to watch so many kids transform. I got to see so many kids find there love of theater too in the same place I got to."
For Lopez and Rogers, hearing that a beloved staple for the theater community is closing is heartbreaking for them both.
"My whole life my goals my aims came from being at that theater and having that available so it’s just a real shame that it’s not going to be anymore," Lopez said.
"It kind of made my stomach drop a little bit because I know that space is just a safe space for so many people just the thought of a historical landmark and just a safe space for many including myself every time I drive by you get a sense of home so hearing they’re having to shut their doors is gut wrenching," Rogers said. "It’s definitely home and it always will be."
Before the Permian Playhouse closes their doors on Dec. 31, they will be putting on one last production. "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" will be showing on Dec. 8 to Dec. 10 and Dec. 15 to Dec. 17.