ART/WNY Finds New Performance Spaces

The American Repertory Theater of WNY will operate out of two new performances spaces for the 2018-19 season and for future seasons. Signing a 10-year lease with Sinatra & Company Real Estate, American Repertory Repertory of WNY will operate out the the former Theatreloft space on 545 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo New York. The company has also entered into an agreement with TCS Development LLC to perform out the Philip Sheridan building on 3200 Elmwood Avenue, Tonawanda NY. "We have gone from zero to 120 overnight." Executive Director Matthew LaChiusa on the recent developments. "The opportunities presented to us will enable this company's future for years to come. We are excited to be working with strong partners and ready to get these ventures rolling."

A former theater performance space zoned for public assembly, The 545 Elmwood Avenue location is a 99 seat intimate space that fits into American Repertory Theater of WNY's history of smaller venues. The first show scheduled to open on September 6th as the company plans to produce 5 shows with a Holiday special in the space.

"With Artistic Director Candice Kogut's programming and the proximity between actors and audience, ART will pick up where it left off." LaChiusa on the 545 Elmwood space. "Great selection of works, great theatrical performances, and the audiences an arm's reach away from the stage, this opportunity will allow all this to continue."
In contrast to the smaller 99 seat venue, the Philip Sheridan building on 3200 Elmwood space in the Ken/Ton area features a former high-school auditorium which seats approximately 300. American Repertory Theater of WNY Artistic Director

Candice Kogut sees an unique opportunity in finding programming for this space. "We are currently looking to produce larger scale musicals and plays as well as some community outreach - nights out for local businesses, for example." The company is scheduling the first production YOUR PERFECT, I LOVE YOU, NOW CHANGE for September 29th and anticipates two to three more productions for the 2018-19 theatrical season.

Although both spaces will both need building and technical renovations for public use, the company is confident these challenges can be overcome. "We are working closely with both business partners to ensure that the spaces we are operating out of are up to code." LaChiusa said. "I feel completely confident in their commitment to making these spaces compliant so we can operate in the same space for years to come."

Now facing the challenges of going from operating a 50 seat theater to having two larger performance spaces and finding program for both, Artistic Director Candice Kogut anticipates the challenges of doing so, but recognizes with a committed group of individuals they can overcome it. "It's going to be a lot of work on the production end of things, but this will give artists, actors and designers more opportunities. We will also have to expand our production and house management staff."
Overall the company is excited to be given a broad opportunity to build upon eleven-seasons of success and excellence. "It means we are about to experience an explosion!"

Ms. Kogut on what this means for the company. "We will be able to branch out and expand our audience base, as well as expand our potential for productions and artistic endeavors." With these two opportunities American Repertory Theater of WNY, the company is optimistic and excited about building upon a future as reflected by Ms. Kogut. "This is an incredible opportunity that I'm so pumped for! I love ART so much and to be a part of helping it thrive is an honor and a challenge that I'm all in for."

American Repertory Theater of WNY will kick-off the 2018-19 season at the 545 Elmwood Space with a production of HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy September 9th. YOUR PERFECT, I LOVE YOU, NOW CHANGE is scheduled for September 29th at the 3200 Elmwood Avenue location. For more information please visit www.artofwny.org

To post a comment, you must register and login.