Luna Theater Homeless After Two Years at The Parish House
Photo from Google Street View
Luna Theater sent out an email to its supporters this morning notifying them that the company is essentially homeless after being housed for two years in the Parish House of the Church of the Crucifixion. In the email, founder and Producing Artistic Director Gregory Scott Campbell wrote:
It is with a very heavy heart that I report that the theater we built over 2 years ago will be closing at the end of 2015.
We have been fighting an uphill battle since last season when our desires for a long-term lease extension fell on deaf ears. In the summer we were informed that the Episcopal Diocese of Philadelphia has plans to close the 166 year-old parish, leaving the congregation and our company with no home. This being said, our current show of Animal Farm by George Orwell will be the final show we produce in our space.
As many of you know we spent our first 11 years living as a renter (8 years at the Walnut Street Theater and 3 years at the Adrienne Theater) before fulfilling our dream of creating our own permanent space that would house us and many, many smaller companies. We procured generous funding from our long time supporter the Wyncote Foundation and made up the difference with the extreme generosity of our audience of believers.
Campbell notes that Luna has no plans to close as a company, but their future is very much up in the air. “Do we search for another permanent home, a partnership, or return to renting at another space? … Right now, we are in damage control: getting ready to either store, sell or remove as much as possible from our extensive inventory. Though sadly since most of the funding went into the construction, electrical and rigging — most funded improvements cannot be recouped.”
He calls on supporters to join them at their latest and last (for now) show, Animal Farm, and encourages donation-giving.
Since it began in 2002, Luna has produced 30 shows with an emphasis on delving into the human psyche. It has several premieres under its belt and has snagged three Barrymore nominations. One our favorite Luna productions was 2008’s Monster, which was directed by Campbell. The current show, Animal Farm, runs through November 7th at The Parish House. More details here. Check out the freaky trailer for the show below:
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