Writers Theatre Holds Opening Performance March 16

	New home of Writers Theatre

After operating out of two separate leased spaces for the past 23 years, Chicago area's Writers Theatre now has a new home to call their own, featuring the 250-seat Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre and the 99-seat black box Gillian Theatre. In 2009, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander began working with Writers Theatre and AMS Planning & Research on program development and site evaluation. Two years later, the firm participated in the architect selection process that resulted in the appointment of Studio Gang Architects by Writers Theatre. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided theatre and audio-video consulting services for the project, in collaboration with Studio Gang Architects and Threshold Acoustics.

"Writers Theatre was glad to have the counsel of Auerbach Pollock Friedlander as our theatre consultants in the design and construction our new home," said general manager Jon Faris. "APF was with us from day one -- from dreaming about what our theatre could be to ensuring that every last piece of theatrical equipment worked!"

The vision for the new Writers Theatre was to increase capacity while maintaining intimacy and the close audience-performer connection found in their original, smaller spaces. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander worked closely with Studio Gang Architects to realize this goal by creating new, state-of-the-art performance spaces reminiscent of the theatre's former venues. The size of each venue has essentially doubled, yet each theatre's form and intimate feel is similar to Writers' original spaces. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander also worked hand-in-hand with the technical staff at Writers Theatre to develop theatrical systems that meet their current needs, as well as allow for future growth.