Unique Venues: Hibbing Auditorium

Hibbing Auditorium
Hibbing, Minnesota

Be prepared: Your first step into the auditorium at Hibbing (Minnesota) High School will be a powerful one.

“It takes your breath away the moment you step inside,” said Meghan Potter, a Hibbing High School graduate before serving seven years as the school’s activities director. “As high school students, we always knew it was special, but we didn’t fully grasp that there wasn’t another high school auditorium quite like it.”

Upon entering, you are enveloped in décor that transports you back in time. The auditorium seats approximately 1,800 and is modeled after the Capital Theater in New York City. The prelude to approaching the auditorium in the stately-looking school is artwork and brass handrails that not only grab your attention, but also force you to stop and marvel.

One of Potter’s earliest experiences in the auditorium was as a member of the band, marching down the aisle playing the school song to a packed house. The energy and power that emanated was off the charts. It wasn’t until after graduation and working as a custodian at the school during the summer that she realized the auditorium’s true impact on visitors around the globe. Many traveled to see the production of “Castle in the Woods” and others wanted to see where Bob Dylan began his singing career.

“Although I missed witnessing Bob Dylan being booed off the stage, the auditorium has been a host to numerous performers, speakers and even famous politicians,” said Potter, currently the athletic director at Wayzata (Minnesota) High School in the Twin Cities. “One of the most frequent questions I received that summer was, ‘How does it stay so well kept?’ It’s hard to explain, but I believe every Hibbing High School student feels a sense of ownership and responsibility to protect and preserve this space.”

When Potter transitioned to administration, it allowed her to share her experiences with students and become more involved with the theatre department, which included being behind the scenes for productions. As updates to the auditorium’s shell and seats ensued, the preservation of the century-old historic landmark deepened the appreciation.

“Standing on that stage, speaking to parents, students and the community, I felt connected to that rich history,” Potter said. “It is a connection I will always treasure.”