Adventure Theatre MTC announced its grand reopening on October 15th in Glen Echo Park after 7 months of renovations due to an electrical fire. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined executives from Adventure Theatre MTC and donors for a traditional ribbon cutting ceremony. Tours of the renovated space were offered after the ceremony.
“Adventure Theatre MTC is a Montgomery County treasure – bringing together our community, introducing children to the joy of performing, and entertaining families. These repairs have been an all-hands-on-deck project, and the widespread community involvement underscores how important Adventure Theatre is to our area. I’m glad families will be able to enjoy its outstanding programming for years to come,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen.
After an electrical fire on March 2, 2018, Adventure Theatre suffered over $500,000 in smoke and water damages to its business headquarters in Glen Echo Park, MD. Adventure Theatre was initially completely shut down for 6 days while the fire system was reset, losing 9 performances. The core renovations were completed that allowed camp to start on time June 18th The remaining renovations have been scheduled around programming and were set to be finished by October 15th.
Inspired by the generous efforts of The Keegan Theatre in dedicating an entire performance proceeds of its sold-out show, Chicago, theatreWashington reached out to all 96 professional theatre companies in the Washington, D.C. area to assist in collecting on behalf of Adventure Theatre’s fire recovery. theatreWashington is the only organization dedicated to supporting and representing all sectors of the Washington theatre community. Folger Theatre, Round House Theatre, GALA Hispanic Theater, the Art Glass Center, and First Draft at the Rose responded with efforts to take up collections from their audiences.
In addition to the arts community, the generous financial and technical efforts of Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, Glen Echo Park (U.S. National Park Service), Montgomery County, Donohoe Construction Company, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, JBG Smith, and Servpro of Bethesda/Potomac has allowed ATMTC maintain its reconstruction schedule.
Leon Seemann, Managing Director of Adventure Theatre MTC states, “The morning of March 2nd was devastating. Seeing our home in ruins. If not for the support of our friends, we would not have recovered so quickly and completely.”
Artistic Director Michael Bobbitt added, “I’m thrilled to see the space look as good as it ever has since I’ve been here and that we were able to fit in a few upgrades.”
