“Given that creativity has emerged as the single most important source of economic growth, the best route to continued prosperity is by investing in our stock of creativity in all its forms . . .  It requires increasing investments in the multidimensional and varied forms of creativity– arts, music, culture, design and related fields– because all are linked and flourish together.”           Richard Florida

We have plans to create Bright Box, a dynamic performance space in Bright Center by December 2012.

What Is A Black Box Theater?  — As its name suggests, a black box theater is a flexible performance space, typically square and painted black. The floor is flat and open, allowing users to arrange seating however they desire. The greatest advantage of a black box space is that it can be anything anyone wishes to imagine – a space for performing arts . . .  a place to watch an art film . . . an intimate setting for a jazz performance  . . .    Because the space can be used in so many ways, the design of a black box theater focuses heavily on practical measures; the acoustics are typically designed to be excellent so that the stage can be located anywhere, and the rigging grid, catwalk, and girders are also extremely flexible, to meet the requirements of individual performances.  

In comparison to traditional theaters, the black box theater is inexpensive to construct.  The classic black box theater also has a very intimate feel, which allows performers to connect with the audience and create a truly emotional experience for theatergoers.

What Is Our Concept?  — We propose creating a black box in Old Town Winchester.  Bright Box will be able to hold 75-100 people and will consist of:

• Performance space of 2000 square feet on the main level
• A sophisticated, comfortable lounge area adjacent to the performance space on the main level where light drinks and food can be served and where theater goers can talk before and after events
• Dressing rooms, green room, rehearsal areas, storage areas, etc. on the lower level accessible by stairs and elevator

Bright Box at Bright Center would not compete with other arts and entertainment activities and venues, but rather complement them and offer a new dimension for those seeking an alternative. The theater would be used for the following purposes:

• Performing arts
• Music productions
• Art house film shows
• Seminars and conferences
• Community events

Shenandoah University, Shenandoah Arts Council, Magic Lantern Theater, and Winchester Little Theater have all expressed an interest in participating in the development and use of this important space, which can help provide a creative, consistent, new venue for productions.

 Why Bright Center? —  Bright Center is the ideal place for Old Town Winchester’s black box theater.  Centrally located at the heart of Old Town Winchester, Bright Center offers the following advantages:

• A large, un-renovated rectangular room with a 14’ ceiling at the rear of the building,   
• Adjoining space which can be adapted into a lounge area, ticket counter, green rooms, dressing rooms, and storage areas (for a total of 4,000 – 5,000 square feet)
• Handicap accessible bathrooms and handicap accessibility through several entrances
• Immediate access to Braddock Auto Park
• Sufficient egress and ingress, with two entrances onto Indian Alley and two entrances onto the pedestrian mall

Owned by Marilyn Finnemore and Aldo Bello since 2005, Bright Center is the ultimate creative space.   From its color scheme to its open collaborative layout, it has been designed to attract the Creative Class, and its spaces are full of innovative companies, including Incredible Flying Objects, MakeNest Interiors, and Bright Cowork.  With over 35,000 feet of finished space, Bright Center seeks to maximize its potential to help young companies and artists innovate, create, and grow.

 Why Downtown Winchester? – Bright Box would provide a key element for the continued revitalization and branding of Old Town Winchester.  The Old Town Development Board recognizes the importance of holding quality events to draw visitors into downtown and recognizes that Old Town has a dearth of indoor spaces for performing art, music, and art house films.  Creating a black box would help provide a key element for making the downtown come alive; visitors could go out to dinner at one of the many excellent downtown restaurants, go see a show at Bright Box, go out for drinks, and stay at a local hotel or walk back home.  It would be a vital link in helping to brand the downtown as a “destination” place and in creating a vital Main Street community.

While Shenandoah University has a nice black box theater, they are welcome to the idea of having another black box in Old Town where they could hold their edgier performances and where students could enjoy additional rehearsal space and performance venues.  Additionally they feel that a black box in Old Town would provide a unique experience for theater-goers since it would be immediately accessible to fine restaurants, pubs, and lodging.  Magic Lantern Theater welcomes the idea of a black box theater where they could show art house films.  Their current locations – the exterior wall of buildings and the small theater in the library – are often unreliable, and they feel a consistent, quality location would help them expand their business and provide a better experience for theater goers.  Similarly, Winchester Little Theater faces a costly renovation to their existing facility, and Backstage at Bright Center could provide a viable, cost-effective alternative since it is shared space.

The Shenandoah Arts Council could bring some of their programming downtown to a larger audience, including but not limited to visual art installation, poetry readings, member performances, and a variety of miscellaneous offerings which are presented to the Council but with current Council facility limitations, cannot always accommodate.

Ultimately, Bright Box could provide the synergy so necessary among Winchester’s existing art groups to promote and build the arts in Old Town and make our city a more attractive place to live, work, and visit.

For Information:  Contact John Sheetz, JBC Limited, 540 247 8450 or Marilyn Finnemore, Bright Center, 703 894 1037.