North Carolina Shakespeare Festival Begins "New Era" With New Home

Greensboro, NC -- It's no Globe Theatre, but the new home of the North Carolina Shake Shakespeare Festival would be considered impressive by 16th century standards.

The company has purchased a 51,000 square foot warehouse and office complex in the western part of High Point. The former Aerochem facilities on Ward Avenue will serve as NCSF's new base of operations.

In a news release, Chairman of the Theatre's Board of Trustees Jim Morgan says their new home will be good for both the city of High Point, as well as the festival.

"Centralizing shops, offices, rehearsal halls and storage in one location will increase efficiencies greatly, further enhance the company's already high quality productions, strengthen current and help new educational programs."

Plans for the complex include renovating the warehouse portion into rehearsal halls, classrooms, shops and storage areas. The street floor of the office building will be turned into administrative office and work areas for staff and other personnel involved in the company's Outreach Education programs and productions.

The festival expects fundraising will pay the $1.5 to $1.7 million in costs associated with the project.

Festival leaders hope the facility will be operational by June so that it can begin production activity for its 30th anniversary season that opens in early September.