The Flea Theater to Open New Three-Stage Performing Arts Complex in Downtown NYC

The Flea Theater is growing! The off-off-Broadway theater is opening a brand new three-stage performing arts complex in Tribeca, four blocks south of their current location in New York City. The project will take $18.5 million to complete, with 95% of the funds already raised. Led by the Flea's artistic director Jim Simpson, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held on December 5.

“It’s a dream come true for the Flea, for downtown, and for all of us who love theater,” Flea co-founder Sigourney Weaver said in a statement. Weaver created the theater space in 1995 with Simpson, her husband, designer Kyle Chepulis and playwright Mac Wellman. The new complex will include The Sam, a flexible 99-seat theater named after agent Sam Cohn; The Pete, an indoor/outdoor 72-seat theater named after playwright A.R. Gurney; and a small playhouse seating 46 for contemporary, more experimental work.

Family Furniture by Gurney and Mary-Kate Olsen is in Love by Mallery Avidon are currently playing at the Flea's existing location. The Flea Theater strives to provide adventurous theatergoers with bold productions of world premiere plays.