Atlas Performing Arts Center

Atlas Performing Arts Center
Address 1313-33 H Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C.
United States
Capacity Lang Theatre: 262
Sprenger Theatre: 170 - 200
Lab Theatre I: 70
Lab Theatre II: 80
Current use Performing arts center
Construction
Opened 1938
Reopened 2005
Architect John Jacob Zink
Website

atlasarts.org

Atlas Theater and Shops
Coordinates 38°53′59″N 76°59′15″W / 38.89972°N 76.98750°W / 38.89972; -76.98750Coordinates: 38°53′59″N 76°59′15″W / 38.89972°N 76.98750°W / 38.89972; -76.98750
Architectural style Art Moderne
NRHP Reference # 10000909 [1]
Added to NRHP November 10, 2010

The Atlas Performing Arts Center is a multiple space performing arts facility located on H Street in the Near Northeast neighborhood of Washington, DC. Housed in a renovated Art Deco movie house, the facility is home to several arts organizations.[2][3][4]

History

The Atlas Movie Theater was built in 1938 by the Kogod-Burka movie chain, one of four movie houses on the then-bustling commercial corridor. The riots of 1968 devastated the area and many businesses and residents abandoned H Street for the suburbs. The area became neglected with many empty buildings. The Atlas closed for good in 1976. The H Street Community Development Corporation purchased the theater in 1985, and renovated the Art Moderne facade in 1989.

In 2001 The Atlas Performing Arts Center purchased the building from the H Street Community Development Corporation. In 2002, the Sprenger-Lang Foundation donated $450,000 of the $1.2 million asking price. The building was renovated for $22 million,[5] beginning in 2004.[6][7] The structure was completely gutted and three adjacent buildings were combined under one roof to house the current Arts Center. The Atlas Performing Arts Center opened in March 2005.[8]

The nearly 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) facility boasts one 260 seat proscenium theatre, one large flexible seat black box theatre and two smaller Lab Theatres. There are three dance studios, managed by Joy of Motion Dance Center. In the lower level there is a scene shop, seven dressing rooms, one green room and office space for the Atlas and its Resident Arts Partners.

Mission statement

Theater and shops

The mission of the Atlas Performing Arts Center is: To foster the artistic growth of professional and aspiring performing artists throughout the region To energize the revitalization of H Street Northeast To provide a unique community-centered venue for training and education in the performing arts and stagecraft To create a new model for collaborative theatre management

The Arts Partners are companies who call the Atlas home. Some perform exclusively at the Atlas while others perform in venues around the city, and even the world.

Atlas Arts Partners

Joy of Motion Dance Center
Congressional Chorus
American Youth Chorus
Capital City Symphony
Step Afrika!
City at Peace

Intersections

In the winter of 2010 the Atlas hosted its first arts festival, Intersections. Under the direction of artistic director Mary Hall Surface, the goal of the festival was to bring artists from different disciplines, ages and cultural backgrounds together under one roof to celebrate and explore the areas to make new connections and break new ground.

Over 5000 people came to the Atlas of the three weekends of the festival, many of whom were new to the Atlas and to H Street. The Atlas plans to host Intersections annually.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Staff (2007-01-23). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. ↑ http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10526.html
  3. ↑ "'Let Freedom Sing': Well Tuned to Its Source". The Washington Post. 2009-03-21.
  4. ↑ "Washington Chorus at Atlas Performing Arts Center". The Washington Post. 2009-03-13.
  5. ↑ http://www.nps.gov/resources/site.htm?id=19004
  6. ↑ "Atlas Performing Arts Center Work Begins May 14, 2004", CORE Architects
  7. ↑ "Atlas Performing Arts Center", Tishman Construction
  8. ↑ http://www.realestatehappenz.com/neighborhoods/hst/hst.cfm
  9. ↑ Ramanathan, Lavanya (February 19, 2010). "Atlas Performing Arts Center stages diverse Intersections arts festival". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 April 2010.

External links

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