Above: Renaissance Theatre Company building. (Screenshot from Renaissance Theatre Company’s YouTube)
ORLANDO | The Renaissance Theatre Company has found a permanent home, previously occupied by the Orlando Ballet, on Orlando’s Princeton St.
The 15,468-square-feet warehouse, located at 415 E. Princeton St., will hold a 200-seat performance venue, a large lobby/bar space for pre/post show events and cabarets, a rehearsal space that can house smaller performances or developmental staging for new works, shops for construction and other elements for performers.
According to its website, the new nonprofit theatre company’s goal is to “create and develop original theatrical experiences in Orlando and beyond, with an intentional focus on fair pay for artists, environmental sustainability, highlighting diverse perspectives and creating theatre in new and innovative ways.”
The $4.8 million building purchase is thanks to Chris Kampmeier, a local philanthropist and founding board member of the organization.
“A thriving arts and cultural community is one of the strongest indicators of a flourishing city, and people with means can contribute by creating good-paying jobs for upcoming artists who want to bring new works to life,” Kampmeier said in a statement. “Live theatre is one of the best ways to experience and internalize a different perspective.”
Artistic Director Donald Rupe expressed his excitement to have his own creative space and the opportunity to bring local artists’ work to light.
“Of course this is a dream come true. Every artist aspires to have their own space. I’m excited to have a place to do my own new works,” said Rupe. “I’m also excited to produce new works by other local artists and to bring new voices and new perspectives into the spotlight.”
The purchase is set to close Sept. 7 and will be followed by “Welcome to the Renaissance,” an open house-style fundraising event scheduled for Sept. 10-11, with all proceeds to benefit future programming, theatre equipment and construction.
The theatre’s first big event will be “Nosferatu,” an immersive horror experience for adults, running on select nights during the month of October.
Watch a fly-through video tour of the newly acquired theatre space below.
For more information on the “Renaissance Theatre Company,” visit RenTheatre.com. To make a donation, go to RenTheatre.com/GiveUsMoney and to purchase tickets for “Nosferatu,” go to RenTheatre.com/Nosferatu.
