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The orchestra-level lobby of Sidney Harman Hall, the new theater space of the Shakespeare Theatre Company, is pictured above. |
By LUCIA ANDERSON
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
WASHINGTON--It's not just for Shakespeare any more.
Washington's Shakespeare Theatre Company now has a place where ballerinas and other dancers, chamber ensembles, instrumental and vocal soloists and other performers can appear in a mid-size theater downtown.
Sidney Harman Hall, a new 775-seat theater space located on F Street across from the Verizon Center, joins the STC's 451-seat Lansburgh Theatre, which is just around the corner and down the street at 450 Seventh St. Together, the two will be known as the Harman Center for the Arts.
At the Sept. 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony, STC artistic director Michael Kahn said that he got the idea for an additional performance space five years ago.
"When you take a look at the diverse cultural companies [in Washington], you can see the city as a cultural destination equal to Chicago and Seattle. It's a wonderful city to visit, wonderful hotels, restaurants, gardens."
But, he said, if the Shakespeare Theatre Company was going to spearhead this effort, more than one performance space was required.
The new theater, designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects, is located in an 11-story office building, but stands out from its background with a glass front that extends out over the street above the ground-floor level.
The auditorium is designed with flexibility in mind. Because the front section of seats is on movable platforms and the proscenium arch can be lifted up into the fly space above, the theater can be configured as an in-the-round arena, a thrust stage or a traditional proscenium stage, and the acoustics can be changed for music or theater events because the walls are covered with adjustable velour curtains behind screens of wooden slats.
There's a rehearsal hall on the lower level that can also be turned into a performance space.
The theater opened officially on Oct. 1.
Among the performing arts organizations scheduled to appear at Harman Hall this fall are the Washington Bach Consort in November and pianist Gabriela Montero, presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society, in December.
The Lansburgh Theatre will open its doors to CityDance Ensemble, Step Afrika!, Washington Reflections Dance Company and Coyaba Dance Theatre. In December, because Ford's Theatre is undergoing a year-long renovation, its annual production of "A Christmas Carol" will take place at the Lansburgh.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company is expanding its own schedule to include eight plays, five of which will be performed at Harman Hall--four of those will run in repertory--Christopher Marlowe's "Tamburlaine" and "Edward II" from late October to early January, and Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" and "Antony and Cleopatra" from late April to early June.
The idea of having two plays sharing the stage at Harman Hall while another is playing at the Lansburgh arises from Kahn's desire to make Washington a cultural destination. Tourists could now see three plays on one weekend visit.
It has taken more than four years for Harman Hall to become a reality. Kahn said he was pleased to have everything finally ready to go, but he's not taking this as a signal to relax.
"Now that we've got all the festivities out of the way, we have got to do some plays!"
For more information about The Shakespeare Theatre Company and the Harman Center for the Arts, visit shakespearetheatre .org.
Lucia Anderson is a freelance writer living in Woodbridge.| What: Washington's Shakespeare Theatre Company opens Sidney Harman Hall, a new 775-seat theater space Where: 610 F St. (at Sixth Street, across from the Verizon Center), N.W., Washington When: Among performers scheduled to appear at Harman Hall this fall are the Washington Bach Consort in November and pianist Gabriela Montero, presented by the Washington Performing Arts Society, in December. Info: Contact the Shakespeare Theatre Company at 202/547-1122 or visit shakespearetheatre.org. |
