Envisioning The Future

A hundred years after the Zeiterion first opened its doors, and 40 years since its last major renovation, we’re embarking on a top-to-bottom building transformation and creating a true community space for the arts!

What began as an idea to improve patron experience at The Z has grown into an ambitious historic restoration and renovation project that will usher the 100-year-old building into the next century. Our vision will transform The Z into a stunning state-of-the-art facility and a community living room bustling with activity. Where the home of three outstanding arts organizations – the Zeiterion, The New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, and New Bedford Festival Theater – can showcase artists on multiple stages, offer educational opportunities, and build a cohesive community through the arts.

The 14-to-18-month project will restore historic elements and unused spaces will be given new life. When The Z re-opens, you'll experience new seats, a new sound system, and improved bathrooms. You’ll also find an expanded lobby, a glorious marquee, and more space for community connection and creative expression.

How Can You Help?

We are well on our way to making this vision a reality, but we’re not there yet. Soon we will need your help to get us to our next act.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like more information, we’d welcome the opportunity to hear from you.

Nicole Downing

 

Merusi

she/her
Vice President of Strategic Advancement

Molly

 

McCarthy

she/her
Director of Development

Project highlights

Historic Restoration

At the heart of this project is the historic restoration of the 10,900 square foot theater.

  • All new seats and seating layout increases capacity, improves accessibility for disabled patrons, and creates a more unified appearance.
  • Historic paint, resurfacing, and mural restoration returns the auditorium to its original, 1923 color scheme.
  • A new, historically appropriate marquee will be returned to the building façade for the first time since the mid-century.

New Gathering Spaces

  • An expanded main lobby improves flow and overall experience for the patron.
  • Basement “Speakeasy” creates a small event space for performances, community events, film screenings, and more.
  • A new second floor lounge functions as a donor’s lounge, additional social space, and multi- function event room.
  • New bathrooms on each floor, doubles the number of facilities and improves accessibility.
  • The box office moves to the street front, improving the buying experience and creating a dynamic street presence that doesn’t currently exist.

Learning through the Arts

This project underscores The Z’s commitment to strengthening education programs with a total of 1,800 square feet of dedicated education space.
The renovated third floor adds a large movement studio and a second classroom space for learning through the arts.

  • Behind the Scenes
  • Sound and lighting updates to the main auditorium improves the performing arts experience for artists and patrons.
  • Updated administrative offices create a dynamic home for Zeiterion and NB Festival Theatre staff and board.
  • Dedicated volunteer space provides a home base for our dedicated volunteer usher corps.
  • A new hydraulic orchestra pit lift will service the main auditorium and provide a storage home for our original Wurlitzer Organ.

Behind the Scenes

Sound and lighting updates to the main auditorium improves the performing arts experience for artists and patrons.
Updated administrative offices create a dynamic home for Zeiterion and NB Festival Theatre staff and board.
Dedicated volunteer space provides a home base for our dedicated volunteer usher corps.
A new hydraulic orchestra pit lift will service the main auditorium and provide a storage home for our original Wurlitzer Organ.

Impact

The Zeiterion’s multi-million-dollar project is the next catalyst for downtown New Bedford’s growth and regeneration. With an estimated $10 million annual economic impact on the region, this project will play a significant role in the post-pandemic economic recovery. We believe it is a keystone project that weaves together the many investments in the city and region in the years to come, furthering our goals of nurturing a more vibrant and cohesive community.