With a desire to expand its offerings and better serve the community, the Capital Repertory Theatre (theRep) purchased a late 1800s vacant bakery building in downtown Albany's growing warehouse district to serve as the new home for their theatre and operations.
Expanded Main Stage
While maintaining the feel of an intimate theatre setting, the new space will feature a 300-seat main stage, allowing theRep to serve more patrons and expand its offerings.
Black Box Theatre
The design includes a 70-seat black box theatre separate from the main stage. The simplicity of the space is used to allow for greater flexibility in rehearsals, as well as provide a second venue to offer performances and shows.
Full Service Café
Located past the box office in the main lobby, the full-service café will provide community members with a space to congregate before and after performances and serve as an additional event venue.
Project Scope
The Capital Repertory Theatre (theRep) outgrew its original downtown Albany location where it was based for 30 years. To expand its offerings and better serve the community, theRep purchased a historic building in Livingston Square in downtown Albany. In need of significant renovations, the new location resolves the theatre's existing parking challenge and consolidates the theatre's operations and storage needs, which were previously in two separate locations. The new space will allow theRep to expand its programming with up to 100 more annual events, potentially attracting an additional 10,000 patrons.
Upon completion, the theatre will feature a 300-seat main stage, a 70-seat black box theatre, a full-service café, and a box office, along with administrative offices, rehearsal rooms, community event space, and dedicated costume prop shops.
This project will spur economic growth in the City of Albany and will allow the theatre to truly be a community asset and a 21st century arts center.