(Le Mars)- The ceiling in the performance space at Postal Playhouse needs to be replaced. The buildings age has been named as the cause for the ceiling collapse that was discovered the morning of Saturday, July 5th. No one was in the building at the time of the collapse.
Home to the Le Mars Community Theatre, The Postal Playhouse is named for the fact the building was the “old post office” in Le Mars before the theatre group began calling it home in 1977. The building was constructed in 1914 and is owned by the city.
The damage was discovered the morning after a storm came through. Initially members the the Le Mars Community Theatre board thought it was likely damage was done by the weather, this has proven not to be the case.
Throughout the week of July 7th professionals inspected the building and assessed the damage. On July 14th LCT’s board president Danna Schuster received an email from the Le Mars City Administrator stating that the city engineer feels that “the ceiling collapsed because the staples holding the lath wire and plaster let go, probably due to age.”
On Thursday the 17th, LCT’s board of directors learned from the city that there is no asbestos in the rubble.
The ceiling collapse happened in the performance space of the theatre. Only a quarter of ceiling fell, however the whole ceiling will have to be removed and replaced to ensure the safety of the space.
(The space during rehearsal on July 1)
(The same angle of the space July 5)
Le Mars Community Theatre was in the middle of rehearsals for “Blithe Spirit,” the third show of their 56th season. The production is tentatively rescheduled for February of 2026, assuming the space is completed by then.
LCT’s Board President, Danna Schuster, will be stopping by KLEM to give an update on what next steps will look like, as well as what season ticket membership holders can expect moving forward. Listen to KLEM’s “What Now” show on Tuesday to hear that conversation.
