HISTORIC CHURCH ANSWERS ARTS GROUPS' PRAYERS

MuCCC (Multi-Use Community Cultural Center) is turn-key,175-seat theatre

Rochester, NY – With Renaissance Square's original plans for two smaller theatres a distant memory, Doug Rice, founding director of ARTWalk in Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts, is providing new hope to local organizations looking for performing space.  

"After ten successful years of running ARTWalk, I felt I needed a new project," says Rice.  "At the same time, the church at 142 Atlantic Avenue – which had been for sale for three years with several failed deals – was still empty.  Buying it for this purpose seemed like a 'heaven-sent' solution to everyone's problems," laughs Rice.  

The name that Rice came up with – MuCCC (pronounced "muck") – may not sound like a dream come true, but what it stands for certainly is:  Multi-Use Community Cultural Center.   MuCCC will provide community groups with a turn-key, handicapped-accessible performing space with the flexibility (due to a moveable stage) to seat audiences up to 175.  The 4,000-square-foot space will include a lobby, concessions area, lounge, balcony, offices, seating (recycled pews), updated restrooms, a dressing room and its own parking lot (across the street), as well as built-in lighting and sound systems. 

"Being turn-key is 'key' to making this work for smaller arts groups," explains Rice, who is also a sound designer. "Another important aspect is that groups will have the 'luxury' of actually rehearsing in their performance space."

MuCCC will open Saturday, March 14, 2009 with a rare production of Edge, writer Paul Alexander's critically-acclaimed, Off-Broadway show about poet Sylvia Plath, by Rochester's METHOD MACHINE.  The fledgling company, already known for ground-breaking work, has been performing in venues ranging from night clubs to hair salons.

"We are exhilarated to be a part of this project and look forward to future collaborations at MuCCC," says METHOD MACHINE Artistic Director David Henderson.  

Renovating the 120-year-old building, which first housed the East Rochester Baptist Mission, has involved replacing the roof, insulating the building and gutting the interior along with removing the sunken, 1,000-gallon, whole-body baptistry.  Rice is keeping the unique cottage-style, stained-glass windows (reflected in the venue's logo) as well as maintaining the architectural integrity of the rare Mission-style church, both inside and out.

Rice's plans include creating a non-profit organization to run the theatre, as well as partnering with nearby Starry Nites Cafe to provide concessions.  Please visit www.muccc.org for more information.  Find out more about METHOD MACHINE'S Edge, which runs through March 28 at MuCCC, at www.methodmachine.org.

Media, please note:  historic and renovation photos of the space are available, and interviews and photo/footage opportunities may be arranged.