As a result of the generous donation of $4.5 million from a group of donors, comprising of The Goatie Foundation, Roberta and David Elliott, and Helen and Peter Bing, in 2013 the New Theatre was renamed the Thomas Theatre in recognition of longtime OSF Development Director Peter D. Thomas, who died in March 2010.
The gift answered a challenge issued in 1993 when Jo Lynn Allen of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the lead donor for the construction of OSF’s New Theatre, passed on the opportunity to name the theatre, issuing the requirement for other donors to make a significant contribution to secure the naming rights. The combined gift from the above group of donors meets the Allen’s threshold, and gives them the naming rights.
The New Theatre opened in 2002 and it carries on the pioneering spirit of its predecessor, the Black Swan. Here, on this intimate and extremely versatile stage, we present new works and explore familiar plays in ways designed to challenge, excite and illuminate. Depending on the flexible seating configuration (thrust, arena, avenue) in use, the theatre seats from 270-360 audience members.