New Arts Venue, The Sheen Center, to Host Soft Opening in Downtown Manhattan, 5/1

The Sheen Center - a brand new arts center located on the corner of Bleecker and Elizabeth Streets (18 Bleecker Street) in Manhattan, consisting of two state-of-the-art theater spaces (the 250-seat Loretto Auditorium and the 93-seat Black Box), four studios and an art gallery - is currently completing construction and scheduled for a soft opening on May 1, 2014 and a full opening season beginning September 2014, it has been announced by The Sheen Center's Artistic Director Jessica Bashline and Executive Director Monsignor Michael F. Hull.

The building at 18 Bleecker Street is currently being gut-renovated and refurbished to transform it into a 25,000 square foot arts center in the bustling heart of downtown Manhattan. The design team for The Sheen Center includes: Acheson Doyle Partners (Architects), Harvey Marshall Berling Associates (Theater Design). Senior Staff Includes: Executive Director: Monsignor Michael Hull, Artistic Director: Jessica Bashline, Producing Director: Gary Bernstein, General Manager: Rosemarie Bruno, Programming Director: Nick Leavens and Production Manager: Ben Williams.

Envisioned as a space to highlight the true, the good, and the beautiful as they have been expressed throughout the ages, The Sheen Center provides a setting to explore contributions to the human spirit through the performing arts, film, art exhibitions and conferences. It is a physical home for a communion of artists and scholars.

"The Sheen Center strives to be a place where dynamic dialogue between artists and audiences can flourish," stated Executive Director Monsignor Hull. "We are excited to become a part of the vibrant arts community in Lower Manhattan, and look forward to being a home for a diverse group of artists," continued Artistic Director Jessica Bashline.

Some companies who have already signed on to use The Sheen Center include, The New York International Fringe Festival, Strange Sun Theater, |the claque|, Terranova, Wingspan Arts, MorDance and Voyager Theater Company. Additional tenants will be announced at a later date.

The Loretto Auditorium will be the largest performing arts space within The Sheen Center, a 250-seat traditional proscenium theatre. The 19th century architecture and details in the Loretto Auditorium have been protected and restored in this beautiful space.

The more intimate Black Box -54 feet long x 35 feet wide - will have seating for 93 people. The Black Box will have fully retractable seating, allowing the space to be cleared for full floor use.

The Sheen Center will also house four spacious studios of varying sizes, which will be available for rehearsals, meetings, classes, etc. The Studios at The Sheen Center will be available for rent 7 days a week.

Art Gallery space on the Main Floor will feature a full rotating schedule of exhibits. It will also be available as a space for intimate receptions.

The Sheen Center - located at 18 Bleecker Street, corner of Bleecker and Elizabeth Streets - is currently accepting applications for space rentals, for more information email rentals@sheencenter.org or visit www.SheenCenter.org.