Ursuline plans adjacent performing arts, community space

Plans are afoot to turn a 112-year-old church next to Ursuline Academy into a multipurpose space that emphasizes the arts and the community.

The building, at 1201 N. Van Buren St., Wilmington, now carries a banner calling it the Ursuline Academy Performing Arts Center.

A school official shared a document with DelawareLive calling it the Center for Arts and Leadership at Cool Springs Park.

It might get yet another name. The independent Catholic school is developing a list of “naming opportunities,” including the building itself and spaces inside, said Patrick Davey, the private school’s director of advancement.

Ursuline, which was founded in 1893, bought the building in 2002. The school figures that it will cost $8 million to $10 million to rehabilitate and update it, he said.

“We want to preserve as much as possible,” said Jeff Santoro, president of The Brandywiners, which will be the building’s primary artist in residence. “We want to respect that history.”

The building was erected as the First Church of Christ Scientist, and the Society of Architectural Historians calls it “Delaware’s finest example” of a “six-column pedimented Ionic portico.”

The interior mixes grandeur – such as oak floors, finely crafted wooden bannisters and rows of stained glass windows in the main hall – with signs of age, including peeling paint, water damage and chunks of missing plaster. Yet: “The acoustics are terrific,” Davey said.

The Delaware Legislature in fiscal 2024 awarded $850,000 from the Community Reinvestment Fund to renovate the 14,500-square-foot structure. The building also has a small gravel parking lot that will be paved.

Ursuline has so far raised about $1 million to $2 million, Davey said. Those interested in the fundraising or the usage of the space should email him at [email protected] or Santoro at [email protected].

In that document, Ursuline lists nine interested and potential partner organizations: City Church of Wilmington, Cool Springs/Tilton Park Association, Christina Cultural Arts Center, Nativity Preparatory School, Serviam Girls Academy, Ursuline, West Side Grows Together, William C. Lewis School and the Wilmington Children’s Chorus.

City Church is already using the space for Sunday services and Tuesday meetings. The Cool Spring/Tilton Park Association has used it for occasional meetings.

Ursuline, which has 430 students, is on that list because its auditorium only seats 100 to 200, and the new/old building presents a “grander” space.

Ursuline, performing arts and beyond

The building features a main auditorium with seating for about 500 on the main level and a large, open space in the lower level, which could be subdivided for different uses.

“Presently, the layout of the main auditorium, while conducive to many types of gatherings, is limited in its capacity to host theatrical presentations in the stage area,” Ursuline said, adding that it wants to install “professional” theatrical lighting and sound systems.

The main stage is only about six feet deep, so the renovations include knocking out the wall behind it to turn backstage offices and storage spaces into performance space, plus dressing rooms. Another key question: Keep some or all of the pews? Or go for more traditional auditorium seating?

Part of the downstairs space could be turned into a “black box,” meaning a simple, but medium-size space for theatrical productions.

IN THE NEWS: UD launches 10-day research cruise to study ocean gas exchange

The Brandywiners, which have been performing operettas and musicals since 1932, have signed a contract to help raise the money needed and co-occupy the space.

“We will, of course, continue to perform at Longwood Gardens each summer, but we are incredibly excited to have a home base in Delaware!” the troupe said.

It has recently rented space at The Tatnall School for its new “second stage” production, at Aldersgate Presbyterian for rehearsals and at various storage facilities.

The Brandywiners will perform “Red Hot and Cole” this fall at OperaDelaware. Once the Ursuline building is ready – Davey predicts at least year a year or two for renovations, once they start – it plans to move all of its operations, except for the Longwood performances, into Ursuline’s space.

Santoro said the Brandywiners, once it has received funding, would conduct free community workshops not only on performance in the Ursuline building, but also life skills, like oral presentations and resumes.

“Obviously it’s a big dream,” Santoro said, “but we both have the same vision for strengthening the arts and the community.”