For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 3, 1998
Round House Theatre's anticipated move to a new home took a major step toward reality today with the announcement that the organization had been selected by the Bethesda Intermediary Theatre Authority (BITA) to operate a 400-seat theater to be built at the corner of East-West Highway and Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.
Under the arrangement, Chevy Chase Bank will construct the theatre and grant its use to the County's Department of Recreation, which will, in turn, contract the facility to Round House.
The facility will be housed in a three-story building to be located at 7501 Wisconsin Avenue. The theater will occupy the street level, with ancillary production and administrative areas on the third floor, as well as the ground level that will also house 150 parking spaces for theatre patrons.
"I heartily endorse BITA's selection of Round House Theatre and commend Chevy Chase Bank for its foresight and interest in establishing a strong presence for the arts in downtown Bethesda," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan.
"This facility will enable Round House to operate in a venue befitting its stature as one of the finest equity theatres in the area. In addition, the Bethesda Urban District will benefit from the influx of theatergoers. It's a good move for all involved," Duncan said.
"We are delighted to have been selected by BITA," said Jerry Whiddon, producing artistic director of the Round House Theatre. "As a home-grown regional theatre, the Round House has been part of the fabric of the cultural life of Montgomery County for more than 20 years. It is extremely gratifying that the County Executive, County Council, the community and Chevy Chase Bank have all committed to our continued growth.
"With our MainStage located in Bethesda and our Theatre School in Silver Spring, the Round House will be able to significantly increase its ability to provide arts programming in the county," Whiddon said. "I can't think of a better way to make Montgomery County one of the premier cultural destinations in the metropolitan region than by placing a regional theatre company in downtown Bethesda. It's tremendously exciting," he said.
The Round House Theatre was founded in 1978 as a program of the County's department of Recreation and traces its roots back to 1970 to the Street 70 Theatre Company.
Since its inception, the Round House has been dedicated to education and outreach and to providing Montgomery County with some of the finest theatre available in the metropolitan Washington area. The Round House has received more than five dozen Helen Hayes Award nominations and was the first smaller theatre to win the prestigious Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Resident Production.
In 1993, the Round House privatized from the County and has thrived artistically and fiscally as an independent not-for-profit organization.
BITA member Wendy Susswein called the arrival of the Round House Theatre "another jewel in the crown for Bethesda. The other local arts organizations, local businesses and most importantly, county residents will all benefit from the presence of Round House," she said.
"I am also thrilled to be part of a process whereby the community, businesses and government work together to create a new cultural landmark that will be available for future generations to enjoy," said Susswein, who is also president of the Arts Council of Montgomery County and a Bethesda resident.
BITA will annually review the status of the theater operations to ensure compliance with the lease agreement; mediate any concerns raised by Chevy Chase Bank or Round House regarding terms of the lease; and recommend renewal, modification or termination of the lease.
The seven-member panel, chaired by Recreation Department Director Greg Bayor, consists of representatives from the following: the Bethesda Urban District, the Arts Council of Montgomery County, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Chevy Chase Bank, an equity contract theater located outside of Montgomery County, and a resident of the Bethesda Urban District.
Chevy Chase Bank very recently submitted a proposed draft of a grant agreement to the County. The Department of Recreation will coordinate discussions with the appropriate County agencies and other parties.
Release ID: 98-380
Media Contact: Greg Bayor 301-217-6820