Transforming Into a Destination Theatre...

The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C., declared "the nation's foremost Shakespeare company" by The Wall Street Journal", recently announced that The Harman Center for the Arts will open in October 2007, helping to transform the company into a national destination theatre. The new center will comprise of the existing Lansburgh Theatre and the new (still under construction) Sydney Harman Hall, which is now 60 percent complete. The major project is not only historic for the Shakespeare Theatre Company, but for all performing arts in the Washington D.C. area.

Landon Butler, Chairman of the Shakespeare Theatre Company Board of Trustees, noted "The building of this new complex, along with a number of other recently completed facilities including the Studio Theatre's new space, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company and the Atlas Performing Arts Center, represent a significant increase in the infrastructure of the performing arts in Washington."

The Harman Center for the Arts, which will cost an estimated $85 million, has received $55 million in contributions. Dr. Sidney Harman and the Harman family, of which the new center will be named after, have given $19.5 million in support of the project and the performing arts in general. The family also recently donated $500,000 for the company's Free for All. A $20 million grant was also given by the District of Columbia in 2004, in full support of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's vision.

Suffice it to say, it's definitely an exciting time for the performing arts in Washington D.C. and I believe many will be watching the Shakespeare Theatre Company in the next year as a model of how to build around a successful theatre program -- artistically, educationally, and economically -- to the benefit of all.

-------------

* Based on official press release "Shakespeare Theatre Company Announces the Harman Center for the Arts Will Open on October 1, 2007". Shakepeare Theatre Company.