Austin Playhouse Preps For Move To Permanent Theatre

Austin TX

16 July, 2021

3:06 PM

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AUSTIN, TX — Austin Playhouse will move into its new permanent building for the 2022-2023 season, officials said Monday. The playhouse announced July 7 it would officially leave its Highland location at Austin Community College this summer as the college's drama department officially completes construction on its new space. Throughout the summer, the playhouse will publicly launch its Capital Campaign to continue to raise funds for its permanent home at 1717 E. Anderson Lane near Highway 183 frontage road. The new arts center will be a 17,000 square-foot facility that will include two performance venues: a 207-seat main stage and 99-seat second stage; classrooms, a rooftop deck, large outdoor patio, a costume shop, scene shop, dressing rooms and seven to 10 flexible office spaces for other arts organizations. 17,000 square-foot facility will include two performance venues: a 207-seat main stage and 99-seat second stage; classrooms, a rooftop deck, large outdoor patio, a costume shop, scene shop, dressing rooms and seven to 10 flexible office spaces for other arts organizations. (Photo rendering courtesy of Austin Playhouse) Construction is slated for 2022 and will take about seven months to complete, officials said. The playhouse plans to announce more information on campaign goals and naming opportunities for the new venue in the coming weeks. Austin Playhouse Artistic Director Lara Haddock told Patch on Monday the playhouse is eager to move to a much bigger, more flexible facility that will serve more than just the playhouse. "We are in a venue crisis in Austin. There's not enough space for Austin theater and performing arts companies so we really want to step up and help with that situation with our new permanent home," Haddock said. She said for the past 20 years, the playhouse has made several facilities their temporary home including Concordia University, Penn Field, where it was located for nine years, and Austin Community College, which the theater called home for almost 8 years until this summer. The new venue on Anderson Lane will be the first location the playhouse owns since its fruition in 2000, Haddock said. The new venue on Anderson Lane will be the first location the playhouse owns since its fruition in 2000. (Photo rendering courtesy of Austin Playhouse) Haddock said the theater's new venue is fully permitted and "shovel ready," but the playhouse is still in need of getting the last of the financing in place. "We hope that our fall season, which will take place at several venues around Austin this year, will help the playhouse be able to launch its 2022-2023 season at its new location." she said. Haddock said she is encouraging local community theater aficionados to spread the word by advocating for the arts in Austin and understanding the need for venue space. "Most traditional arts venues in Austin had already closed before the coronavirus pandemic began last year. The pandemic only made it harder on theaters," Haddock said. "Some groups have been closed down for a year and others will be closed for almost a year and a half. "So, I hope people not only support the Austin Playhouse, but the arts overall in Austin if they want to keep the culture alive." For more information on the new venue or the upcoming season, visit Austin Playhouse's website and Facebook page. Looking for more eateries, shops or fun things to do in the Austin Metro? Check out our Austin Local's Guide. RELATED COVERAGE: 'Hamilton' Broadway Show Coming To Austin Hot Summer Nights Returns To Downtown Austin In August 270 New Events Coming To Paramount, Stateside Theatres 'Rain Falls Special On Me' Show Coming To Ground Floor Theatre