Theatre for a New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience (TFANA) is a not-for-profit producer of Shakespeare and classical drama in New York City. In the twenty-five years since TFANA was founded, the company has never had a permanent home, relying on the availability of a variety of off-Broadway venues. As these theatres became increasingly scarce, TFANA committed to construct a new theatre that would be their permanent home. The new theater will include: a 299-seat auditorium with flexible seating arrangements to suit the round, thrust, and proscenium stages; rehearsal space that can serve as a stand-alone black box theatre; and support spaces including offices and a cafe.

In addition to providing all of the program spaces and the flexibility that TFANA needs to produce classical works, the theatre will also provide a new home for TFANA's educational programs, which include the largest curriculum in New York City for teaching school children about Shakespeare.

Jonathan Rose Companies was engaged by TFANA to locate and assess sites for a permanent home. A site was selected in Brooklyn as part of the Brooklyn Academy of Music Local Development Corporation (BAM LDC). Jonathan Rose Companies has managed the team selection for the project and continues to bring the acquisition and City funding negotiations to closure. The firm is currently managing the design process in partnership with EDC with a scheduled start of construction in 2011.

The building is designed to LEED Silver standards and incorporates many innovative mechanical and material elements to meet this goal within the program and project budget.