Theater News

Signature Theatre in VA Announces Expansion Campaign

New York City
The Singature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia has announced a $7 million capital campaign for an expansion project that will include two flexible black box spaces; the county and the public will try to raise an additioonal $5.5 million for a total of $12.5 million in growth. The company plans to transform an automobile bumper-plating factory in nearby Shirlington Village into a state-of-the-art theatrical complex by January 2006.


Said company artistic director and co-founder Eric Schaeffer, “Fifteen years ago co-founder Donna Migliaccio, architect Dick Gommersall, and I had the vision for Signature Theatre and took the first bold step. Today, it’s amazing to realize how Signature has not only succeeded but thrived and surpassed what any of us ever could have imagined…The inventive ‘theater-in-a-garage’ spirit infuses all that we do. However, our current physical space and technical limitations have become a hindrance…The new complex will provide Signature with the muscles it needs to focus solely on the art and not obstacles.”


The company has named Stephen Sondheim as honorary chair of the capital campaign for the new complex. “Signature Theatre has changed the musical theater landscape in Washington,” Sondheim stated. “I’ve been astonished and delighted with the annual productions of my shows there and proud to be not only part of the theater, but also to serve as honorary chair of this new endeavor. If Signature’s work over the last 15 years is any indication of where the theater is going, this new building will only enhance its continuing artistry as well as its ability to reach new audiences.”