Archive: Around Town

Running to Places Theatre Company (R2P) Artistic Director and founder Joey Steinhagen raised the curtain on the next stage of the youth theater company.  Literally the next stage, because he announced Saturday that R2P will be building a theater complex in the old movie theater space in The Shops at Ithaca Mall.  About 120 current and former company members and supporters were lured to the mall with the promise of a 'big reveal', but were not told what it would be about.

"It's got to be something we can actually achieve," Steinhagen said. "It can't just be a dream... it has to be something that actually can happen.  It would also be cool if it weren't just a selfish thing for us, but to other organizations and businesses in the community.  If it somehow added value to our community.  So we came up with a plan, and it's this: we're going to build a theater right here in the mall."


He was drowned out with exuberant cheers as those who hadn't already guessed realized they were sitting in what will soon become their own theater.

First and foremost the facility will provide a home for what has been a nomadic theater company, mounting over 60 shows in any theater they could get, anywhere in Tompkins county.  Four of the former movie theater auditoriums will be transformed into a 12,500 square foot (plus about 2,500 square foot booth space) complex that will feature a traditional 323-seat theater with a 30 foot stage that will provide ample space for the large casts (up to around 55 youth actors) that are typical of R2P productions.  That and a flexible space 'black box' theater will provide a venue for all manner of productions and events, both by R2P and community groups that will rent the facility.  The complex will also include a  rehearsal room, dressing rooms, scene shop, costume storage, box office, and business office.


Construction will start September 1 and the new theater will launch in December, with 'Newsies' opening the new theater in December.  But 'Newsies' won't actually be the first show.  That was Saturday: as Steinhagen announced each title R2P alumni performed numbers from each show.  The season will continue in February with 'Annie", then 'Alice in Wonderland', which will feature middle-schoolers in April, 'The Wiz' in June, and 'Mamma Mia' in August. 

The capital fund-raising campaign has been dubbed 'R2P Is Running Home'.  Steinhagen said that adapting former movie theaters makes the project much easier because the basic framework and infrastructure already exist.  He compared the project with the Kitchen Theatre Company's new theater, which was converted from an essentially gutted building and opened in 2010.  That the R2P project is expected to cost about 17% of the Kitchen build provides confidence that an aggressive schedule can be met. 

"Originally the Kitchen Theatre's goal was $950,000," he said. "They then surpassed that and raised $1.2 million and they did a slightly nicer build.  So their 'stretch' was $250,000.  Our plan is that we can do this for $150,000.  If we stretch to $200,000, that's still $50,000 less than the difference between the Kitchen's original goal and their stretch goal.  It's doable.  And if we stretch to $200,000... now some of the upgrades we have in mind for year five, we'd be able to do on day one.  So $200,000 feels doable."

It felt even more doable when Steinhagen said that silent fundraising during the preceding month had already yielded about two thirds of the goal, and was optimistic that the goal could be exceeded by the August 31 end of the campaign.  He noted that Saturday morning $79,900 had been pledged or donated, but by the time of the 6pm presentation total pledges were over $100,000, including a confirmed $10,000 donation.


R2P officials say the benefits to owning its own theater are numerous.  When 'borrowing' other facilities the company has been unable to extend the runs of successful shows -- now it will control its own schedule.  Put-ins and strikes will be easier with an attached scene shop and other backstage facilities.  The logistics of mounting a show will be simpler. Steinhagen said the location at the mall is ideal.

"You can park here," he said. "You can get here from four different TCAT lines, from downtown... from the outlying areas... it's accessible.  It's familiar.  Dinner -- you won't ever have to go outside, let alone cross a busy street to get food.  Your families, dropping you off for rehearsal, can go and get their shopping done.  It's good for everybody."

"Having live theater at the mall will also be a boon for mall businesses, bringing hundreds of people to the mall for each performance, contributing to the stability and longevity of that anchor of Tompkins County," said Board President and architect James Drew, who with Deborah Drew is donating their architectural services to the project.

Steinhagen made a point of saying that once the facility is completed, it will be available to the whole community, and noted that community groups have already expressed interest in using the space.

"We're looking forward to student-directed pieces, garage band concerts, in-depth technical trainings, master classes by guest artists, experimental projects, and countless ideas yet to be born – the sky's the limit," said Steinhagen. "And all the while, we'll be upholding our promise to keep participation in R2P entirely free."

The former projection booth will be opened up to provide a stage manager booth, space for lighting and sound operators, and for the orchestra that plays live for musicals.

"There were four screens," said board member Dick Furnas. "The two on either side will be shop space, costume space, a green room, some rehearsal space with mirrors.  The fourth will be a black box.  We also have the projection booth that will be for the light and sound operators and a 'pit in the sky'.  In terms of a space, it's awesome."


Steinhagen said having a permanent home isn't going to change the basic idea of  'Running To Places', even when the company doesn't have to continue its gypsy existence, going from theater to theater.

"Here are two things to think about: when a stage manager calls 'places' in adult theaters they go 'Ya, in a second.  I'm finishing my coffee and conversation'," he quipped. " Kids run to places.  Half the time they're already at places before stage management called them to places.  That energy only comes with youth theater.  Also the Running to Places that will always happen is Ithaca kids are still going to go to prom in Lansing.  Newfield kids are still going to run to Dryden to hang out with their friends -- that's the real Running to Places.  That's what the whole mission is really about.  That's not going to change depending on where we happen to do the thing that we're doing."

Steinhagen founded R2P in 2007 and the company mounted it's first production, 'Fame' the following January with 40 local 6th through 12th graders in the cast.  The company consists of about 150 cast members and about 40 working backstage over the course of each season.  Some original company members come back to work, with a resident music director,  resident choreographer, co-director.

"Every day at rehearsal I think that I invented my own dream job," he says.  "I have the most fun.  I have the best job in the world.  Every day I get to spend reliving my own youth and staying young through these kids is the greatest joy I can think of."

The current season is still in progress with 'Songs for a New World' at the Kitchen Theatre on July 5-8, and 'School of Rock' August 10-12.

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