4 Center exterior 3

The College Park Neighborhood Arts & Theatre group (Website | Facebook) wants to build a community arts and theater center in College Park.

The group has begun raising money for the new building and has had support from local businesses to help them build out plans for the new facility.

Supporters identified that community theater was something that was missing and needed in the College Park area.

“Theres a lot of creative people here who have a passion for some form of art,” CPN Arts & Theatre founder Denise Badger told Bungalower.

While they are looking to raise 2.8 million dollars to make the building a reality, they are already hosting art events in the College Park area including a wine art walk and tryout for their first show, You Can’t Take it With You.

The building design is a two-story 7,800 ft building.

The theater would be a 160 seat multi-purpose theater with fold away seats to allow more flexibility.

The first floor includes:

  • Lobby
  • Concession / Prep Kitchen
  • Retail / Gallery
  • Office
  • Public Restrooms
  • Art Gallery Passage
  • Theatre
  • AV – Tech Booth
  • Electrical / Network Storage
  • Dressing Room
  • Storage/Props
  • Green Room
  • Makeup
  • 2 Performer Restrooms

The second floor includes:

  • Rehearsal / Workshops
  • Artists Work Studio
  • Wardrobe
  • Scene Shop
  • Outdoor Area

Outside there will also be a patio with a bar, stage, fountain and small seating area.

The building would also be available for community rentals including weddings and special events.

It’s also important to not that this wouldn’t just be for theater but for all arts.

The idea says Badger “is that when you walk into the building you will be inspired by your passion.”

“We want to not only provide a space where people can gather but to equip them with workshops and coaching,” she added.

As far as where the building would go Badger says they are in conversations with Orange County Public Schools about using space by Edgewater High School.

The property is on south part of Edgewater High School’s property where the school auditorium used to be located.

Here’s a look at some additional renderings and floor plans for the building and the site they are looking at for the building:

3 Center exterior 2

First floor:5 Interior Center 1

Second floor:6 Interior Center 2nd floor

Outdoor area:7Center Garden

Edgewater HS Property 113

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  1. The more theater, the better. But I’m a little mystified why supporters say there’s no community theater in College Park. Theatre Downtown has been at Princeton Street and Orange Avenue for 25 years. It’s not QUITE College Park, but it’s pretty darn close.

  2. It’s all about the parking…hope the City holds to it’s requirements so patrons don’t get frustrated and not come. Otherwise it would be a lovely improvement.