The stage at the old opera house on Washington Square remains silent, some 23 years after the Newport Performing Arts Center (NPAC) purchased the historic building. When and if it reopens remains a mystery.
After projecting a reopening in the spring of 2024, NPAC officials now say they are unsure when construction will even resume. NPAC officials are vague on specifics, while they continue to be optimistic that the project will eventually be completed.
What’s at stake is the completion of a renovation project once projected to cost $26 million, but with recognition that inflation would increase that amount significantly.
The Newport Performing Arts Center bought the historic building in 2002 and continued to operate it as a movie theater for eight years before it went dark.
The Opera House originally opened as a 1,217-seat theater on Dec. 28, 1867, and for many years some of America’s most cherished actors and performers graced its stage. It also hosted important lectures, and in the 1920’s transitioned to a movie theater.
It appears from a posting on NPAC’s Facebook page that NPAC still anticipates a theater with 700 seats, while “reducing overall construction costs to roughly $10 million without sacrificing the audience and performance experience,” according to Melissa Quinn, NPAC’s managing director.
Quinn, said the $10 million is “in addition to the roughly $9 million that was invested in Phase 1 of construction.” In her letter, posted on NPAC’s website, she said that in “re-crafting” the budget, it puts off “auxiliary features” to “future phases.”
John Cratin, NPAC board chair, had previously said that in phase 1, NPAC had spent $10 million “to secure the building to preserve the historic structure … we built an inner frame to up the entire structure.”
Cratin had also said the $10 million reflects the money the organization had raised, including $4.2 million matching State Council on the Arts grant. According to the Arts Council, NPAC raised the matching funds.
Fundraising and opening
In Quinn’s letter on the website, she said NPAC’s “goal is to secure this funding in early 2025 and launch a process for the start of construction.” WUN asked whether NPAC had reached its goal, and, if not, specifics on the amount raised, what needs to be raised, and anticipated project cost. Quinn’s response: “We are continuing discussions under confidentiality with a core group of significant donors and will announce developments when we have finalized commitments. The project budget has not changed from our last update and our donors are targeting contributions that will meet that budget … NPAC will not have an open date until a start date for the next phase of construction is confirmed.”
Quinn also said that “NPAC has just recently received a grant but per terms of the agreement, the foundation requires review of any announcement, so we are not yet at liberty to disclose the details.”
Annual Appeal
Each year, NPAC conducts an annual appeal to cover administration and operating costs. Quinn said the appeal raised $116,320 in 2024, in addition to a $125,000 grant from the Doris Duke Foundation.
Any changes to the design or seating capacity
Quinn: “There are no changes to the design or seating.” NPAC has consistently said it plans for a seating capacity of 700.
Federal and State Tax Credits
Among financing NPAC was counting on were $4 million of federal and state tax credits. Asked previously about the tax credit, NPAC said it had “qualified for historic tax credits. These cash funds are not allocated until the qualifying project components are completed and approved.” However, asked about the tax credits now, Quinn said “while NPAC plans to continue with its original plans of restoration, it has become clear that the expense of fulfilling the elements and guidelines to qualify for Federal Tax Credits exceeds the potential reimbursement the project could receive.”
