Local Theatre Companies Break Ground with 12th Avenue Arts, 2/21
By: Emily Stubbs
New Century Theatre Company, Washington Ensemble Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, and Capitol Hill Housing are pleased to announce the groundbreaking of 12th Avenue Arts, a visionary new project on Capitol Hill that will combine affordable housing, arts space, nonprofit offices, and local retail shops. The building will contain two flexible theatre spaces; a 150-seat theatre to be shared by NCTC and Strawshop and an 80-seat theatre to house Washington Ensemble Theatre. Both spaces will be available for rental opportunities when not in use by the resident companies.
"There is a shortage of performance space in Seattle. As a young company without a permanent home, we have found ourselves spending more and more time searching for space and less time working on our programming," said New Century Theatre managing director Jamie Herlich. "It's a challenge to find space suitable for the level of production we do (that has enough power and lighting) and that is affordable and available. 12th Avenue Arts is a dream as it will provide a permanent performance home for all three companies, will be equipped with the most current and capable equipment and is located in the heart of a thriving arts scene. We are honored to have the opportunity to steward this amazing community asset." The three companies have created Black Box Ops LLC, a new nonprofit organization, which will manage the day-to-day operations of the two theatre spaces. Black Box Ops will be hiring a small staff, including a Facilities Manager, to run the operation.
The groundbreaking will take place on Thursday, February 21 at 12:30pm in the lobby of
Velocity Dance Theatre. Confirmed speakers include Mayor McGinn. The public is invited to attend.
12th Avenue Arts will transform a surface parking lot into a beautiful building-integrating affordable housing, performing arts space, community meeting space, and local retail-all under one roof. Working with the City of Seattle, arts groups, local businesses, and community
leaders, Capitol Hill Housing is activating a key block to ensure diverse benefits for the entire
neighborhood. The building will have an 18-month construction period and will open in 2014.
The total project cost is approximately $47 Million. The project architect is SMR Architects and
the general contractor is Walsh Construction
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Million Dollar Quartet Harlequin Productions (6/19-7/19) |
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The Play That Goes Wrong Seattle Rep Theater (6/11-6/28) |
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RAGTIME Village Theatre (9/15-10/18) |
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Professor Brian Cox Moore Theatre (1/16-1/16) |
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Hell''s Kitchen The Paramount Theatre (7/21-7/26) |
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At What Cost? by Nathan Maynard Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company (7/17-8/01) |
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We Ain't Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon and Parfunkel Musical Village Theatre (6/27-7/19) |
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Hadestown (Non-Equity) Paramount Theatre (1/19-1/24) |
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BEDROOM FARCE at Tacoma Little Theatre Tacoma Little Theatre (7/10-7/26) |
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Love is Dead Village Theatre (7/10-8/01) |