The Second Stage, Culture Box, and Café Loo officially opens August 2026
Hattiloo Theatre, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Black performing arts theatre, is excited to announce the grand opening of their three new spaces: Second Stage, Culture Box, and Café Loo. All three spaces will be unveiled during a series of openings throughout August 2026.
Ekundayo Bandele, Founder and CEO of Hattiloo Theatre, expresses his enthusiasm for the new spaces by stating:
“When I founded Hattiloo, my dream was never simply to build a theatre. It was to build a place where Black culture could be explored, celebrated, and shared in all its forms. The Culture Box, Café Loo, and the Second Stage move us closer to that vision, creating new spaces where people can gather not just for performances, but for the everyday experiences that connect us to one another and to our stories.”
The Second Stage introduces a new 88-seat performance space that expands the types of productions Hattiloo can produce, while creating more opportunities for collaboration with artists.
Café Loo will serve as a vibrant gathering space where patrons can enjoy coffee, tea, work, and build connections with the community. The space will also serve as the new concession hub during shows, enhancing the overall guest experience.
The Culture Box elevates the entertainment experience by offering five unique programs within the space: Toy Box, a nostalgic game night featuring classic card and board games for casual play; Laugh Box, a comedy showcase featuring two comedians with diverse styles; Speaker Box Slam, an engaging spoken word competition highlighting spoken word artists, poets, and storytellers; Music Box, celebrating a range of Memphis music through performances from local singers and bands; and Juke Box, a karaoke and music experience featuring an interactive DJ keeping the energy flowing.
Both Café Loo and Culture Box will serve signature cocktails, alongside a chef-curated charcuterie menu featuring sweet, savory, and salty selections designed to complement the experience.
To stay up to date on the opening events for each space, patrons should visit www.hattiloo.org. Hattiloo Theatre welcomes everyone to join us as we celebrate the opening of the Second Stage, Culture Box, and Café Loo throughout August 2026.
This blog was written by Hattiloo Theatre
Founded in 2006 by Ekundayo Bandele and named in honor of his two daughters – Hatshepsut (Hatti) Bandele and Oluremi (Loo) Bandele. Hattiloo Theatre is the largest Black theatre in the Mid-South and one of four free-standing Black theatres in the country. The performing arts theatre produces shows and programs that depict Black life and give audiences an authentically cultural experience.
