It was a pop-up shop in Downtown South Bend that found success and now a new permanent home.

Studio 217 by the Acting Ensemble Stage Company has decided to stay in their space after participating in DTSB’s “pop-up” shop program.

The ensemble is now in the building that houses the "Downtown South Bend" offices.

The acting ensemble has a very small yet intimate setting.

About a dozen actors and actresses provide stage readings about once a month with tickets costing about five bucks each.

This weekend they will start to work on the building a main stage for bigger productions.

Actor Jason Clark says, “I think the difference with the acting ensemble, not that the other theaters don't, is that the actors are really passionate and really want to be here. It was a company that started with nothing but Jim brought everything together, even with the odds against him. We decided we were going to do theater.”

The ensemble also offers free story time readings for children and an acting workshop for senior citizens. This summer they hope to offer an acting camp for kids too.