“We wanted it to be a contemporary piece because it’s a very modern space,” said Patty Raun, director of the School of Performing Arts and Cinema. “We wanted it to be something that would link our past with our future, so we wanted an alumni performer.”
Theatre 101 is the first building at Tech to be constructed solely for use in the arts, Raun said. The building is used for theater classes and public performance.
The 8,000-square foot theater will be able to seat 80 to 120 people.
Theatre 101 is meant to offer a link between the Blacksburg community and the arts at Tech. In addition to “Made in Taiwan,” the theatre department will be holding an open house on Saturday to strengthen that connection.
“When I was there, I don’t remember a lot of funding for the arts,” said actress Michelle Krusiec. “I’m excited to hear they are finally doing that. I’m glad, in the end, that I get to be a part of it.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. Guests will be invited to tour the building and explore the space.
The 8,000 square foot theater is a state-of-the-art performance space will seat anywhere from 80 to 120 people depending on the needs of a particular show.
The theater will be open to the public this week, but it has been in constant use throughout the semester for classes, rehearsals, and performances.
Theatre 101 is the first building at Virginia Tech to be constructed specifically for the arts, said Patty Raun, director of the School of Performing Arts and Cinema.
In addition to be a versatile performance space, the building is also environmentally friendly. It is the first structure on the Tech campus to be registered with the U.S. Green Building Council. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation means that Theatre 101 was built with green initiatives in mind from the beginning.
Theatre 101 was always intended to be a new link between the Department of Theatre Arts and Cinema and the Blacksburg community.
“When we were in the Performing Arts Building it was hard for people get up the courage to find us,” Raun said. “Could it be in that creepy old Victorian building? Now we’re downtown on College Avenue and we have a face.”
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