The CAT Theatre will remain in its home in northern Henrico. (Charlotte Woods)
The show will go on for CAT Theatre.
After some drama this summer over a lease with its landlord led it to announce it would cease operations, the small theater in Henrico is having a curtain call of sorts – with an assist from another local acting venue.
CAT Theater said last week it would remain in its home at 319 N. Wilkinson Road, having come to terms on a rental agreement with the Northern Henrico Civic Association, which owns the facility.
The dispute was settled with the help of Virginia Repertory Theater, which stepped in as mediator.
“I think it’s going to be fine,” said Kelly St. Clair, president of CAT’s board of directors. “I don’t want to say it got ugly – but there were hurt feelings and we’re trying to mend things.”
“We all realized that the relationship is one where we all benefit so much from each other that we’re going to need to put aside any hurt feelings to move forward.”
Phil Whiteway, managing director at Virginia Repertory, said his theater will sign a lease with NCHA and a sublease with CAT Theater for a monthly rent that is “within (CAT’s) current means.”
NHCA President Delta Bowers said Virginia Repertory made recommendations for both sides that helped bring them together.
“It was never the desire to have CAT move anywhere else,” Bowers said. “It was prudent for Virginia Repertory to be engaged, and for CAT to remain in their home of 54 years.”
Bowers declined to comment on lease terms, which are being finalized.
In the meantime, CAT’s latest production, a comedy called “Boeing, Boeing,” had its second weekend of performances, and Virginia Repertory is planning for spring and summer youth camps at CAT’s facilities. The profits from the camps, which will be priced at $300, will help close leasing gaps.
Whiteway and Bruce Miller, a founding producer at Virginia Repertory, will provide theater management consulting to the CAT board to help members develop short-term and long-term financial strategies.
CAT, which has been around 54 years, produces five main stage shows per season, each running for three weekends. The theater also does five “Bifocals Shows” per season, with two performances at the theater and a three-week touring schedule to retirement homes and assisted-living facilities in the Richmond area.
In the end, some extra theater tickets may also help ease any lingering tension.
“We invited all of their (NCHA) board members to our opening night with comped tickets,” St. Clair said.
The CAT Theatre will remain in its home in northern Henrico. (Charlotte Woods)
The show will go on for CAT Theatre.
After some drama this summer over a lease with its landlord led it to announce it would cease operations, the small theater in Henrico is having a curtain call of sorts – with an assist from another local acting venue.
CAT Theater said last week it would remain in its home at 319 N. Wilkinson Road, having come to terms on a rental agreement with the Northern Henrico Civic Association, which owns the facility.
The dispute was settled with the help of Virginia Repertory Theater, which stepped in as mediator.
“I think it’s going to be fine,” said Kelly St. Clair, president of CAT’s board of directors. “I don’t want to say it got ugly – but there were hurt feelings and we’re trying to mend things.”
“We all realized that the relationship is one where we all benefit so much from each other that we’re going to need to put aside any hurt feelings to move forward.”
Phil Whiteway, managing director at Virginia Repertory, said his theater will sign a lease with NCHA and a sublease with CAT Theater for a monthly rent that is “within (CAT’s) current means.”
NHCA President Delta Bowers said Virginia Repertory made recommendations for both sides that helped bring them together.
“It was never the desire to have CAT move anywhere else,” Bowers said. “It was prudent for Virginia Repertory to be engaged, and for CAT to remain in their home of 54 years.”
Bowers declined to comment on lease terms, which are being finalized.
In the meantime, CAT’s latest production, a comedy called “Boeing, Boeing,” had its second weekend of performances, and Virginia Repertory is planning for spring and summer youth camps at CAT’s facilities. The profits from the camps, which will be priced at $300, will help close leasing gaps.
Whiteway and Bruce Miller, a founding producer at Virginia Repertory, will provide theater management consulting to the CAT board to help members develop short-term and long-term financial strategies.
CAT, which has been around 54 years, produces five main stage shows per season, each running for three weekends. The theater also does five “Bifocals Shows” per season, with two performances at the theater and a three-week touring schedule to retirement homes and assisted-living facilities in the Richmond area.
In the end, some extra theater tickets may also help ease any lingering tension.
“We invited all of their (NCHA) board members to our opening night with comped tickets,” St. Clair said.