About the 5th & D Street Theater

The North Coast Repertory Theatre was founded in 1983 as a splinter from the long-running Ferndale Repertory Theatre. In 1984, NCRT moved to its current home at 5th and D Streets in Eureka and began producing three to six plays per season. By 2000, the season had expanded to a full six-show lineup.

The building itself has had a colorful past — it once served as the local Salvation Army headquarters and even a grocery store. Over the decades, it has been transformed into an intimate performance space that audiences have come to love for its warm acoustics and close connection to the stage.

In 2015, thanks to the generosity of loyal patrons and supporters, NCRT paid off the mortgage and now owns the building outright. That milestone was a testament to the deep roots this theater has in the Eureka community.

Today, the 5th & D Street Theater is home to both NCRT and Redwood Curtain, two companies that together offer a broad range of productions — from classic dramas and comedies to musicals and new works. The venue is also available for rental to outside performing arts groups and schools.

The 5th & D Street Theater is an intimate venue with reserved seating and a low stage that puts you right in the middle of the action. It's a small theater, and that closeness is part of what makes the experience special — every word and note comes through clearly.

During intermission, you'll find a selection of refreshments including beer, wine, ciders, sodas, water, candy, popcorn, and sometimes homemade cookies. It's a friendly, community atmosphere where you're likely to run into neighbors and friends.