Capital Repertory Theatre unveiled its new building this morning to press and dignitaries. The former National Biscuit Company bakery at 251 N. Pearl St. is the new home of Capital Repertory Theatre, the region’s only professional producing theater.
Located across from the Ida Yarborough housing complex, the 28,000 square foot facility includes a 302-seat stage and auditorium; a 70-seat “black box” theater; wardrobe and props construction and storage facilities; and an extensive dressing room and actor preparation space.
This project undertook a historic restoration and adaptive reuse of the original bakery that in recent decades was used largely as a storage facility and was most recently vacant. Refinished original hardwood floors and extensive exposure of brick walls and original wooden timber beams define the interior space. Capital Repertory Theatre, an affiliate of the Proctors Collaborative, was located for more than 25 years at the ground level of the parking garage located two blocks south and currently being redeveloped by Redburn Development.
The $14 million project was supported by thousands of individual donors and subscribers through a capital campaign. Empire State Development has agreed to provide $1.8 million through Round 5 of the Restore New York Communities Initiative, and $950,000 through the Round V of the Regional Council initiative, as recommended by the Capital Region Economic Development Council. New York State Homes and Community Renewal is providing $2 million through its Rural and Urban Community Investment Fund, and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has agreed to provide federal and state Historic Preservation Tax Credits that generated $5.2 million in equity allocated by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Construction crews work on what will be the theatre space and main floor of theREP at 251 N. Pearl Street in Livingston Square in Albany Friday, March 13, 2020. Photo credit: Kate Penn – Proctors Collaborative 
