Drawings unveiled for new theater at McCarter

Architectural drawings have been unveiled for a new $10.5 million building at McCarter Theatre which will provide space and flexibility for Princeton University's Program in Theater and Dance.

The new Berlind Theatre building, to be located on the south side of the McCarter Theatre with its main doors facing University Place, will include a 350-seat theater, two rehearsal halls, classrooms, offices and technical facilities.

Exterior drawings by architect Hugh Hardy show the building's gothic heritage, with a tower and French gothic entrance fagade. The stone and brick building was designed to be stylistically consistent with both the existing McCarter building and other buildings on campus.

"The Program in Theater and Dance excitedly anticipates the building of the new Berlind Theatre as this will provide much-needed stage and rehearsal space for both Princeton's students and McCarter Theatre," said Darryl Waskow, managing director of the Princeton program.

Waskow also noted that a closer integration with McCarter Theatre will provide new opportunities for Princeton students. "The Berlind Theatre will serve Princeton's artistic community as a place where students can learn and practice their craft," he said. "Sharing the building with McCarter will allow the Program in Theater and Dance to develop closer ties to McCarter for the benefit of our students."

The building has been named in honor of Roger S. Berlind, a Tony award-winning Broadway producer and member of Princeton's Class of 1952. Berlind contributed $3.5 million to support the theater expansion. An actor in Theatre Intime and Triangle Club during his undergraduate years, Berlind has had a life-long interest in the university and the arts.

Groundbreaking for the Berlind Theatre is scheduled for early 2001. It is expected to be completed in the fall of 2002.

Contact: Justin Harmon (609) 258-3601