In 1994, the American Theatre Company, the English Comedy Club and the Irish Theatre Group purchased a complex now known as The Warehouse at Rue Waelhem 69A, 1030 Schaerbeek. It now houses a club room, two rehearsal rooms, a workshop for set construction, a props room, a costume room and storage space for sets. The groups also bought the adjoining ceramics workshop, which was then transformed into a 65-seat studio theatre.
These three community theatre groups also form the Co-operative Association to Support Theatre (CAST), which meets every month to discuss management and maintenance issues. Since 1994, generous individual and corporate donations of over €250 000 have helped pay for the constant upkeep of the property.
The first ATC production in the Studio Theatre was in February 1997, when the ATC presented two one-act plays: Aunt Ruth by Steve McGiffen, winner of the 1996 ATC Play Writing Competition, and Haiku by Katherine Snodgrass. Since then, the ATC has captivated Studio audiences with Marsha Norman’s ‘night Mother (February 1998) and Finneas Edwards’ The Four Wheelers (October 1998), winner of the 1998 ATC Playwriting Competition. ATC members and FRIENDS have also been key to the successful “Sponsor-a-Chair” campaign of 1998, which resulted in 65 new comfortable chairs for the Studio Theatre. Each chair features a plaque with the sponsor’s name or a special dedication on it.
Getting There
Parking is very limited in the area so you are advised to use public transport if possible or leave plenty of time to find a parking space. Also please note that metered (paid) parking in the area is in effect until 9 p.m. every day except Sundays and holidays.
The theatre is easily accessible by public transport to the following nearby stops:
Verboekhoven (Bus 58, 59; Tram 55, 56, 92, 93): If your bus/tram is coming from the center of Brussels, walk in the direction the tram was travelling. Rue Waelhem is the first road off the roundabout.
If your bus/tram is travelling toward the center of Brussels, when you get off cross to the opposite side of the roundabout to the other tram stop. See above.
The theatre is about a block down on the right, nearly opposite Lidl.
Demolder (Tram 7 & 25): Take Rue Leopold Courouble to the end and turn left into Rue Waelhem. The theatre is a short walk down the road, on the right, nearly opposite Lidl.
