City Paper has always been at the heart of the local arts scene. Now, a crucial battle is unfolding as CulturalDC considers selling the Source Theatre. This 120-seat black box theater has been a home base for several performing arts organizations and a hub of creativity for nearly two decades. But will it continue to serve the arts community?
Preserve the Source Theatre - A Battle for the Arts
Background and Ownership
On Thursday, Nov. 21, Theatre Washington, the capital area's professional theater advocacy group, took a significant step by publishing an open letter to CulturalDC. CulturalDC, which has owned the Source Theatre on 14th Street NW since 2006, informed tenants of their intention to sell the venue. This move has sparked concern among the arts community as the Source Theatre has been a vital space for various performing arts organizations.The Source Theatre has served as the home base for Constellation Theatre Company, local opera company IN Series, and has hosted the performance programming of CulturalDC itself. It has provided rehearsal, educational, and performance space for countless arts organizations over the years.
The Open Letter and Signatories
The open letter, signed by President and CEO Amy Austin and the Theatre Washington staff and board, urges CulturalDC to "honor the roots of the SOURCE Theatre and prioritize keeping the black box space dedicated to the performing arts." As of 5:20 p.m. on Thursday, nearly 300 people have cosigned the letter, including artists, technicians, and supporters from a variety of fields.This shows the widespread support within the arts community for the preservation of the Source Theatre. Staff and leadership from Olney Theatre Center, Mosaic Theater Company, Theater Alliance, Arena Stage, and Studio Theatre have also joined in expressing their concern.
Concerns and Demolition Plans
Theatre Washington's letter expresses concern that the public listing by Congressional Commercial not only mentions the asking price of ,800,000 but also provides documents suggesting demolition plans and retail layouts. There is an emphasis on the multifunctional nature of the building's current zoning, raising doubts about the future of the theater space.The letter asks CulturalDC to "work in collaboration with the DC theatre community, on a slower timeline, to ensure the preservation of the SOURCE Theatre as a performing arts venue." This highlights the importance of involving the community in the decision-making process.
Local Companies and Their Stories
Constellation Theatre, which has been a company in residence at Source for 18 years, has made a fair market offer to purchase the building based on due diligence research. Washington Improv Theater also called Source home for 14 years until 2022 but left amid controversy after its lease was not renewed.These examples show the impact that the potential loss of the Source Theatre would have on local theater companies and the arts community as a whole.
The Importance of the Source Theatre
The Source Theatre has been a hub for creativity, innovation, and community engagement. It has housed three resident theater organizations and provided a space for countless arts organizations to thrive.If the space is sold to a developer, the city could lose "one of the last viable black boxes for itinerant theatre companies in the DC area." This is a significant concern considering the recent losses of local theaters like Theater Alliance and Synetic Theater.
The Call to Action
Theatre Washington's call to action emphasizes the need to preserve the Source Theatre. By working together with CulturalDC and the DC theatre community, there is a chance to ensure the continued operation of the theater as a performing arts venue.Readers are encouraged to support the arts by following the developments and potentially getting involved in the preservation efforts. You can read the full letter at theatrewashington.org.
