Claire Tow Theater: LCT to build new theater

The Lincoln Center Theater has announced plans to expand its operations to the roof of the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Construction will begin this spring on a 23,000 square foot, two-story addition which is designed by noted architect Hugh Hardy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture. Budgeted at $41 million, it will house a 131-seat theater and dressing rooms, as well as much needed rehearsal and office space for the LCT staff and an outdoor terrace surrounded by a green roof.

The theater will be named the Claire Tow Theater, in honor of the wife of longtime LCT Board Member Leonard Tow, recognizing the Tow Foundation's outstanding leadership support. It will become the home of LCT3, Lincoln Center Theater's programming initiative dedicated to producing the work of new artists and the development of new audiences. Completion of the project is anticipated in late 2011 - early 2012.

This new project will bring to fruition Lincoln Center Theater's long held desire for a third theater to present the work of the next generation of LCT's playwrights, directors and designers. As plans evolved for the campus-wide Lincoln Center Development Project, which is making Lincoln Center more open and accessible, this new addition became a reality as well. The Claire Tow Theater will play a vital role in this expansion with LCT3 productions adding a new dimension of creative activity, as well as bringing a new audience, to Lincoln Center. Paige Evans is the Director of LCT3.

This new addition is designed by architect Hugh Hardy of H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture LLC and is intended to be LEED Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. It will mark a homecoming of sorts for Mr. Hardy who early in his career worked on the design of the Vivian Beaumont Theater as the assistant to designer Jo Mielziner who, with architect Eero Saarinen, designed the Lincoln Center structure that also houses the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

Lincoln Center Theater has established a Capital Campaign to fund the construction cost as well as to provide endowment and operating funds for LCT3 programming in the new theater. The Capital Campaign has raised 90% of the $41 million construction cost with generous leadership support from Lincoln Center Theater's Board of Directors and Lincoln Center. The additional funds needed will be raised during the public phase of the Capital Campaign.

Lincoln Center Theater created LCT3 to offer new artists fully staged productions. Each year LCT3 will produce a season of new plays and musicals in its new home. LCT3 not only serves as a nurturing arena for artists to hone their skills but will also provide a stepping stone for these artists who, it is hoped, will continue their professional lives at LCTs larger venues.

Currently in its second season (where it has performed at The Duke on 42nd Street, a New 42nd Street project, and where it will continue to perform until its new home at Lincoln Center is ready), LCT3's past productions include 'Clay,' a one-man hip-hop musical written and performed by Matt Sax, directed by Eric Rosen, and the plays 'Stunning' by David Adjmi, directed by Anne Kaufmann, and 'What Once We Felt' by Ann Marie Healy, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll.

Upcoming LCT3 productions include 'Graceland' a new play by Ellen Fairey, directed by Henry Wishcamper (3 - 29 May 2010), and 'On The Levee' a play with music, conceived and directed by Lear deBessonet, play by Marcus Gardley and music and lyrics by Todd Almond (14 Jun - 10 Jul 2010).