Huntington's New Shops to Be Located in Everett, Massachusetts

After an extensive search of the Greater Boston area for a new space to house the construction and painting of their theatrical sets and props, the Huntington Theatre Company Production Center will relocate to 46 Garden Street in Everett, Massachusetts effective July 1, 2017. The Huntington's current production facility located at 252-258 Huntington Avenue in Boston, next door to the Boston University Theatre, will become the site of a new building developed by QMG Huntington LLC, who purchased the lot in May 2016. The Huntington Theatre Company will retain the Huntington Avenue Theatre in Boston (known as the BU Theatre until June 30, 2017) on a permanent basis, and will continue to produce world-class theatre there and at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.

Since 1982, the Huntington Theatre Company has shared its production facility with BU students and BU productions, while garnering a reputation for gorgeous and detailed production values for Huntington shows. The creation of the Huntington Production Center in Everett is the first step in a major transition for the Huntington which includes plans to renovate the Huntington Avenue Theatre to be a first-rate, modern theatre building with expanded services and amenities for audiences, artists, and the community.

The new Huntington Theatre Company Production Center in Everett will include 25,000 square feet of production space, 18,000 square feet of storage space, and 4,000 square feet of office space, housing the company's prop, paint, and scenic shops. The new facility will feature large, open, and flexible work areas and onsite prop, costume, and scenery storage, allowing Huntington staff to produce more complex design work in a more efficient workspace, and to build upon the Huntington's community mission by expanding production services to other arts organizations, entertainment venues, and companies throughout the region.

The Huntington has worked with Leggat McCall Properties (Boston) to select the Everett location and Dacon (Natick) to design and build out the site. Fit out construction work has begun and production operations will begin there full time in July.

"The Huntington's production team has been searching for a new space since last May and we're delighted to call Everett our new home," says Huntington Production Manager Todd Williams. "And while this transition will have its challenges, the production team is looking forward to a workspace where an entire stage floor can be built and painted at one time - with no columns in the way! - and with room to paint both full size backdrops and set pieces simultaneously. The new production facility will allow our artisans the space they need to create their best work in the most efficient workspace possible."

"I could not be more proud that the Huntington Theatre Company's production team is moving to Everett," says Mayor Carlo DeMaria, mayor of the city of Everett. "Soon, we will be part of Boston's leading professional theatre and one of the region's premier cultural assets. I want to personally welcome the Huntington's artisans to Everett and want to thank Artistic Director Peter DuBois and Managing Director Michael Maso for choosing our community for the home of their new production facility."

The Huntington plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Huntington Production Center in August, which will give members of the press and the public the opportunity to visit and tour the new facility. Further details will be announced this summer.

ABOUT THE Huntington Theatre Company

Celebrating its 35th season, the Huntington Theatre Company is Boston's leading professional theatre and one of the region's premier cultural assets since its founding in 1982. Recipient of the 2013 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the Huntington brings together superb local and national talent and produces a mix of groundbreaking new works and classics made current to create award-winning productions. The Huntington runs nationally renowned programs in education and new play development and serves the local theatre community through its operation of the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA. The Huntington has long been an anchor cultural institution of Huntington Avenue, the Avenue of the Arts, and will remain so on a permanent basis with plans to convert our current theatre into a first-rate, modern venue with expanded services to audiences, artists, and the community. Under the direction of Artistic Director Peter DuBois and Managing Director Michael Maso, the Huntington cultivates, celebrates, and champions theatre as an art form. For more information, visit huntingtontheatre.org.

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