Threatened Theaters Await County Funding for a Home

Officials Looking At Budget Options

Just weeks after the dazzling red-carpet debut of the county's $17 million library and theater complex for Signature Theatre in Shirlington, the future of two smaller theatrical companies is in limbo as the county searches for money to renovate a nearby space for their use.

The county has long said that it views the rejuvenated Shirlington neighborhood as a potential theater and entertainment district. But arts aficionados say they are troubled that no funding was included in the county's proposed $873.6 million budget to renovate Signature's former space on South Four Mile Run Drive for use by the other companies. The Arlington-founded Signature company has won national acclaim for its musical theater productions, which have prominently included the works of Stephen Sondheim.

The county purchased the former auto body shop and two other buildings last year, shortly before Signature moved into its new home, and hoped they could be fixed up to house two theater companies being displaced by rising rents and redevelopment.

The displaced groups are the Washington Shakespeare Company, which will have to move out of its building in Crystal City to make way for the county's planned sports complex; and Classika Theatre, which lost the lease for its children's theater space in Shirlington.

"We need more facilities to let groups expand their programming, and we want to hang on to the groups we have," said Wendy Rahm, chairman of the Arlington Commission for the Arts. "It's a facilities crunch we're in, so we're encouraging the county to move a little faster on this."

County officials envision the new Signature Theatre -- with its wall of windows and grand circular staircase -- as just one of the draws for the renewed neighborhood. About $225 million of development is underway there, including condominiums and luxury lofts. There are plans for a hotel and chic businesses including branches of the District's trendy CakeLove gourmet bakery and Busboys and Poets cafe and bookstore.

County Manager Ron Carlee told County Board members at a meeting last month that he was examining "current funding" -- perhaps money in the capital projects budget -- to finance the renovation of the theater spaces. Norma Kaplan, the county's cultural affairs director, said renovations of the old Signature space are expected to cost $3 million to $4 million.

The county had hoped that Classika Theatre and the Washington Shakespeare Company would move into the old Signature building, but the delay is complicating those hopes.

Classika is on a month-to-month lease in Shirlington and is investigating other options, including the old Wilson School building near Rosslyn, said Meghan Grady, the troupe's educational coordinator.

Christopher Henley, artistic director of the Washington Shakespeare Company, said his troupe is also looking for a new theater, in case money for the renovation isn't available.

Carlee told the County Board that he would have a proposal for funding the renovations complete by the time the board hears from the public on the proposed county budget March 27.

"The County Board will take a strong look at it," Chairman Paul Ferguson (D) said.

"It's something that needs to be done. We purchased the property and we have the arts groups that need the space."