TheatreSquared Announces $1.5 Million Gift To Next Stage Campaign

TheatreSquared Executive Director Martin Miller and Artistic Director Robert Ford announced today a $1.5 million leadership grant from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation toward the Our Next Stage capital campaign, supporting Northwest Arkansas's first permanent, dedicated home for professional theatre.

"Willard and Pat Walker were true visionaries in their commitment to this region," said T2 Executive Director Martin Miller. "We're proud to have the support of the Walker Charitable Foundation to help TheatreSquared inaugurate a space where, over the next decades, millions of Arkansans of every background will discover remarkable live theatre and educational experiences."

The leadership gift will christen one of the building's most prominent architectural features-the cantilevered, 1,700-square-foot open artistic space with a prominent view over the corner of West and Spring-as the Walker Rehearsal Room.

Architect Magazine highlighted the distinctive rehearsal volume in its preview of the building, writing: "Most significantly, the building projects the inner life of the theater onto the street. A rehearsal space features a massive window that gives passersby a glimpse of works in progress."

"It is exciting to see the momentum as this ambitious project enters its final phases, and we're thrilled to be a part of this new cultural landmark," said Mandy Macke, executive director for the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation. "We hope this gift inspires others in the community to join us in supporting our region's first home for world-class theatre-made here in Northwest Arkansas."

This significant and generous grant brings total commitments to date to over eighty percent of building costs. A committee of area civic leaders is working closely with TheatreSquared's staff and Board to continue raising leadership and community gifts to raise over $31 million towards the project's costs, in addition to a separate TheatreSquared Trust campaign that will ensure a sustainable future for the organization and its community-driven offerings.

The architecturally significant new theatre at the corner of Spring Street and West Avenue in downtown Fayetteville will be complete in the summer of 2019 and is one of the newest, most intimate, and immersive performance spaces in the country. London-based theatre planners Charcoalblue and New York-based Marvel Architects designed the 50,000 square-foot, two building, two-venue site. The new TheatreSquared will house two state-of-the-art theatres, the Walker Rehearsal Room, offices, education and community space, design workshops, eight dedicated guest artist apartments, and an open-all-day café/bar. Outdoor areas on each level - a patio on Spring Street, a second-level terrace on West, and a rooftop deck - reinforce the organization's ethos of transparency to the community.

The site is steps from dozens of restaurants and bars, blocks from the University of Arkansas campus, and across the street from a new 250-space parking garage. The theatre will directly connect to the Razorback Greenway, the regional bike trail linking Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, and every stop in between.

TheatreSquared will host the first performances in the new theatre in August 2019.

See current construction progress, design images, backstory, and learn how to join the campaign in support are at ournextstage.org.

TheatreSquared is Northwest Arkansas' professional regional theatre, offering an intimate live theatre experience for 45,000 patrons each year in its intimate space and in schools throughout the state. TheatreSquared was recognized by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards, as one of the nation's ten most promising emerging theatres. TheatreSquared has experienced remarkable growth in recent seasons, expanding its audience tenfold in the past five years. In 2019, the company will open a brand new, 50,000 square foot theatre center, featuring two state-of-the-art performance spaces. For further information or press tickets, contact TheatreSquared at (479) 445-6333 or visit theatre2.org.

For further information on the capital campaign, T2's productions, or press tickets, contact TheatreSquared at (479) 445-6333 or visit theatre2.org.

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