Signature Center Receives Donation From Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation

Signature Theatre announced today that The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation has made a $3 million gift in support of Signature Center, the Company's new, permanent home opening in February 2012. Spanning an entire city block at 42nd Street between Dyer and 10th Avenues, the Frank Gehry-designed Signature Center features three intimate theatres, a Studio Theatre, rehearsal studio, and a public café and bookstore. The Center will be both a theatre community hub and a neighborhood destination, and has been designed to foster interaction among playwrights, artistic collaborators, and the public.

Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenberg were first introduced to Signature Theatre by Edward Norton, a Trustee and capital campaign co-chair for the Company. In recognition of the couple's gift, the Center's grand staircase-a sculptural centerpiece of Signature's new home which connects the first floor entry lobby with the second floor public café, bookstore, and central plaza-will be named "The Diller – von Furstenberg Grand Staircase."

"The opening of Signature Center is a momentous moment for Signature Theatre and a glorious addition to the larger New York creative landscape," noted donor Diane Von Furstenberg. "Central to our Foundation's work is our support of arts organizations that provide vital resources for their communities, and Barry and I are proud to be able to support Signature Theatre as they expand their service to the theatre community and their important work with playwrights."

Signature Theatre is distinguished for its pioneering programs that celebrate the playwright's body of work. Signature Center will enable the 20-year old Company to expand its programming, introduce new initiatives, and build audiences. The Company will present up to nine plays each season at the Center, which will serve as the artistic home for as many as 11 playwrights at any one time, allowing Signature to expand its commitment to playwrights and foster a creative community that brings together audiences and theatre artists.

"We are deeply grateful to Barry and Diane for their exceptional gift," said Signature Theatre Company's Founding Artistic Director James Houghton. "Through their visionary philanthropy they transform and better this great city and beyond, and extending their support of the creative community to Signature Theatre and its playwrights will make a profound impact on the work that we do as we build a new home for our Company, our artists and our audiences."