The Richmond Triangle Players are taking the next stage. Literally.
The theater group opens its brand new theater, located at 1300 Altamont Avenue in Scott’s Addition, with the opening of its next show, “Facing East,” on Feb. 10.
According to Managing Director Philip Crosby, they finally have a place to call home.
“It’s the next stage of our existence,” he said. “Getting a theater this size and this scope puts us on an equal footing with any other theater in town. It demands that we perform to a whole new level. We’re ready for it. Our audience has been wanting it and I think it’s time.”
The group has been without a permanent home of their own since they began in 1992. They mainly performed shows at Fielden’s, but also utilized theater spaces around the city, including the Empire Theatre, HATTheatre, the Metropolitan Community Church and the Gay Community Center of Richmond.
The group discovered the space when local real estate agent and Triangle Players patron Rob Moss bought the building.
For the last six months, they’ve been renovating the 4,000-square-foot space, which was formerly an old radiator repair shop. Major renovations included rerouting all the plumbing, installing a new HVAC system for air conditioning and heating, and building a new roof.
The group also used volunteers and supporters to paint the interior of the building and provide wall covering and non-theatrical lighting.
The stage is two and a half times the size of the stage used at Fielden’s, and the 80-seat sitting area is a combination of regular theater and cabaret style seating, with tables that can be set up or removed, depending on the show.
The theater also boasts larger wing areas, a backstage door big enough to wheel large items to the stage and a soon-to-be-full-service bar.
Known for their edgy and often risqué performances, the Richmond Triangle Players can now offer patrons even more through their shows, not only with the actual space but also without any limitations.
“With Fielden’s, we really had no control over the space,” said Crosby. “That meant we couldn’t do certain shows or work with certain artists. This new space removes all those barriers.”
The Triangle Players are not wasting any time once the theater opens. The group plans to showcase local cabaret shows as well as national touring productions including a cabaret event by the Richmond Men’s and Women’s Choruses on Feb. 14.
“Our goal is to keep this building opened and occupied as much as we can.”
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement