The Next Stage Campaign was launched five years ago as a vehicle to realize
Arena’s long-term vision for a new home. There have been a number of
milestones along the way, preceding the quiet phase of the Campaign and up
to our historic public announcement this December.
Arena Stage considers relocating to Seventh Street, NW, but after
discussions with Mayor Anthony Williams and the City Council, decides to
stay in Southwest as a crucial part of the Southwest Waterfront
revitalization.
June: Arena Stage reviews 60 architects as
candidates to design the new complex and selects Bing Thom Architects of
Vancouver, Canada.
July: Arena Stage completes its fundraising
feasibility study.
Arena Stage completes its engineering study.
July: The design of Arena’s new theater campus
by Bing Thom Architects is approved by both the Historic Preservation Review
Board and the Fine Arts Commission.
September: Arena Stage receives the Mayor’s
Agent Approval for Exemplary Architecture.
October: Arena Stage begins the quiet phase of
its fundraising campaign.
January: Arena Stage selects a Trustee
leadership group and Campaign Steering Committee led by John M. Derrick,
Jr., Wendy Farrow Raines and Richard W. Snowdon to serve as its campaign
leadership.
June: Arena Stage receives approval of zoning
variances by the Advisory Neighborhood Commission.
October: Bing Thom Architects’ final design is
approved by the Board of Zoning Adjustments.
Arena Stage files for the needed permits for the renovation project.
Bing Thom Architects completes construction drawings.
December: Arena Stage publicly launches The
Next Stage Campaign and begins the bid process for the construction
contract.
May: Clark Construction chosen for the
construction contract.
October: Arena Stage Board of Trustees votes to
commence construction, and announces plans to break ground in January of
2008.
December: Performances of Ella begin at
Arena Stage in Crystal City, Virginia, the temporary theater space
Arena will use during the two-year construction in Southwest, D.C.
January: Arena Stage breaks ground on its
historic Southwest, D.C. theater complex
Fall: The Arena Stage Mead Center for American
Theater opens for the 2010/2011 season.
