Designed by Bing Thom Architects (BTA), the new Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is sure to become an architectural landmark for Southwest D.C.’s revitalized waterfront. The extraordinary facility exemplifies a central commitment to art: three theaters serve as the architectural focal points, with a range of other activities swirling in constant motion around them under a magnificent, unifying roof.

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200,000 square feet

The historic icon of Arena Stage, “The Fich” will continue to stand as an extraordinarily unique theater space, with its epic, four-sided auditorium, steeply raked seating tiers and bold, earthy exterior design. Ideally suited to large scale classic dramas and musicals, this 680-seat main stage will be updated with state-of-the-art technical equipment and elegant décor – but the spirit of the theater will be absolutely preserved. Perhaps the most important change will be in the acoustics of the space: ambient street noise will be eliminated and various vehicles to conduct sound throughout the interior of the space will be implemented.

A 514-seat, fan-shaped space with a modified thrust stage, the Kreeger will also be updated with current technology and amenities while retaining the qualities that make it one of the most artist- and audience-friendly spaces in the country: extraordinary flexibility, excellent acoustics, flawless sightlines and remarkably intimate interaction between actor and audience.

A 200-seat theater with flexible seating and state-of-the-art technical capabilities, Arena’s new performance space will be added to complement the two larger theaters. Built to support the birth and nurturing of new and developing plays in a comfortable, technically sophisticated venue, the Cradle will enable Arena to continue building the canon of American work and cultivating the next generation of great writers.

The design team drew inspiration from the jellyfish’s transparency for the new complex’s skin, which will be fabricated with glass. Whether visitors are inside the theater looking out, or outside the theater looking in, they are always within the theater experience. This inside-outside dynamic will reveal the programming of Arena’s dynamic new theater campus.

 

"People will come to look at, as well as be in, this building. Its transparency will be compelling day or night. Striking structural elements, such as towering mast-like wood columns, fit the setting perfectly. The assortment of buildings will form an enticing little cityscape."
     – Benjamin Forgey, Former Chief Architecture Critic, The Washington Post