The Outdoor Pavilion, Priscilla Beach Theatre, Priscilla Beach, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA

The newly restored Barn Stage at Priscilla Beach Theatre (PBT) stands regally as the crown jewel of the performing arts campus. The Barn Stage reopened this past summer to rave reviews and sold out all shows to each performance of "Fiddler on the Roof," "Chicago," "Breaking Up is Hard To Do," "The Odd Couple," and "Tribute to the Big Bands." The stage is dark until the 2016 performance season next spring but, that doesn't mean all is quiet on campus.

As I drove by recently, I noticed the beautiful stone perimeter wall was complete, enclosing the large property with a warm and traditional New England ambiance. But then, I saw the bright orange tractor sitting in the middle of disturbed ground. What new and wondrous thing is happening now?

Turns out it is the foundation preparation and footings for the new, permanent PBT Outdoor Pavilion! In recent years, PBT has erected a large tent on its campus to present their Summer Workshop performances. For the upcoming 2016 season, they will instead welcome the new permanent PBT Outdoor Pavilion as an additional venue. This latest improvement is the final link in the rebirth and restoration of the entire theatrical arts campus. The campus offers three separate performance venues: the Barn Stage, the GMO Black Box Theatre, and the new Outdoor Pavilion.

The PBT Outdoor Pavilion represents the final major project in the total restoration of the entire campus that owners and guardians Bob and Sandy Malone have undertaken in the past year. In addition to the performance areas, all other support function structures including actor and actress dorms for in-residence performers, executive and production offices, and the box office have been completed.

 Soon, these sturdy anchors will support the newest addition to the campus.

Above is the architect's rendering of the pavilion. While I will miss the casual informality of the former white circus-style tent, I will get over it quickly - this latest addition will round out the complete renovation/restoration/creation of the new Priscilla Beach Theatre experience - it promises to be fulfilling for audience and performers alike regardless which stage is in use!

The Summer 2016 schedule for the Barn Stage is filling in with "A Chorus Line" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" already confirmed and scheduled for the Barn Stage. Contact PBT at 508-224-4888 or online at http://www.pbtheatre.org for ticket information. When tickets go on sale soon, expect them to sell quickly - be ready to order.