Two Texas Theatre Groups To Merge

Richardson Theatre Centre and Labyrinth Theatre Friends have decided to merge together. The two Richardson theater companies recently partnered on a production of THE FOREIGNER, which plays at the RTC through April 19.

"It's a bright story in a dull economic time," said Carl Youngberg. Youngberg, a business consultant and former long-time member of the city arts commission, helped bring the organizations together.

Neighborsgo.com reports that Youngberg had encouraged the RTC, a repertory company and mainstay of the city's theater community, and Labyrinth, a cutting-edge equity company that ceased operation about two months ago, to explore a possible relationship by "dating for a while."

The merger includes plans to move the new company into new a new space at the end of the current production. RTC has occupied its current theater space for 18 years, while Labyrinth operated at Arapaho United Methodist Church for five years.

The new company signed a 10-year lease that will have them move into a new space, 2701 Custer Parkway, which is in the same complex as their former home.

The Richardson Theatre Center's new location at 2701 Custer Parkway, just south of Renner Road, will contain two theaters, the larger is expected to seat about 150 people, moire than double RTC's current capacity The smaller theater will be a Black Box, and expected to seat about 60. Additionally, the new venue will feature space for a children's education program, offices and workshop.

"We didn't expect it to move this quickly," said Rachael Lindley, RTC board president and artistic director. Lindley added that the "marriage" will draw on the strengths of both companies.

Kevin Ash was artistic director at The Labyrinth Theatre. "Kevin and I clicked really well," Lindley said. "It wasn't about ego, so it worked really well. If either of us had come with an ego, it wouldn't have worked."

Ash will be the paid executive director of the new theater operation.

The first show at the new location will be The Fantastiks in May, originally planned as the last production of Labyrinth's theater season, now the first production of a new era. A ribbon-cutting at the new location is scheduled for Friday, April 17.

Richardson Theatre Center expects to continue both repertory and equity programs, which present about 10 shows a year.

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