Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Theater Receives Phoenix Award
Preservation Maryland has recognized the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s restoration of the historic Mercantile Trust and Deposit Co. building and its adaptive reuse as a new theater with their coveted Phoenix Award.
Preservation Maryland only makes a very select number of awards each year. The Phoenix Award is reserved for outstanding preservation efforts which result in the successful adaptive reuse of historic resources.
For the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, just having a theater to perform in and give actors a second home is huge. Previously based out of Ellicott city, they are going from a park to a full on performing center.
When the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival shut down and closed its doors, the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company saw an opportunity. The historical building was able to continue entertaining Baltimore residents, and that is what earned the company the Phoenix Award.
By keeping the importance of theater and maintaining the purpose for this historical structure, the Phoenix Award only asserts that this was the best move for the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.
