It's no secret that the Phoenix Theatre, which has called
Mass Ave home for the past 30 years, is moving into a new space this month. The
gorgeous new facility is located at the corner of Illinois and Walnut, right on
the Cultural Trail. The building that formerly occupied that space was
demolished and the 21,000-square-foot new Phoenix literally rose from its ashes
over the past few months.
The design of the entire building has been done with the
utmost thoughtfulness. The main theatre has maple siding designed by acoustics
expert Gavin Haverstick. The gender-neutral bathrooms have two entrances to
keep things moving quickly at intermissions. The bar and other areas of the
theatre are painted in a brilliant red, perfect for the vibrant atmosphere.
Despite the fancy new digs, not everything is changing
for the theatre. It will still focus on cutting edge productions that deal with
important issues. The two stages are both intimate settings, so that there is
no pressure to choose mainstream plays just to fill seats. The theatre's main
stage increased its seating from 132 to 144 and the black box theatre went from
about 70 to 90.
There are so many improvements in the new building it’s
impossible to list them all. There are 16-foot ceilings, giving a bright open
feel in every room. There is a rehearsal space that can be split to match the
exact size of both performance spaces. There is a costume shop, scene shop,
storage area for sets, administrative offices, and more. It's also ADA
compliant and includes a huge glass wall in the lobby with flawless views of
the city skyline.
There are 49 parking spots available in a lot across the
street that is owned by the theatre. There is additional street parking
available for every show. There are multiple art walls that will allow the
theatre to create galleries whenever they choose. A huge number of green
initiatives incorporated into the design as well.
The end product is a beautiful addition to our city. This
Friday the festivities begin as the building is completed and the staff moves
in. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the fun. See a complete list of the
events planned for the big move below. For more information about any of them,
please visit PhoenixTheatre.org or call (317) 635-7529.
Starting at 749 N. Park Ave, hear memories from the Phoenix family. Follow the Phoenix in a procession down the Cultural Trail to the new building for a ribbon-cutting with Mayor Joe Hogsett. Complimentary light food and beverage available for attendees. Free to attend!
April 29-May 7: #WhereisPhoenix
Stop by your favorite local landmarks to snap a picture with Phoenix for your social media feed. Every day the it will be at a new location.
May 7-May 11, 11 am-1 pm: Phoenix Fest
Food trucks, performers, and a fabulous new space--it's a week of celebration! Each day from 11 am-1 pm stop by the new Cultural Centre at 705 N. Illinois Street to see amazing local performers and artists and check out the spectacular new home of Phoenix Theatre! Free to attend!
May 10-June 3: Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater
This will be the very first show in the new building. Musical comedy meets Kurt Vonnegut satire on the brand new Russell Stage.
Images courtesy of the Phoenix Theatre
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