Crossroads Playhouse proposes 134-seat downtown theater; asks board for formal support to launch capital campaign

Representatives from Crossroads Playhouse presented a plan for a small, 134-seat downtown performance venue and asked the Board of Aldermen for formal support to begin private fundraising.

Katie Jo Eisenhower told the board Crossroads has invested more than $400,000 to date, completed soil testing and architectural drawings, and controls a 1.3-acre site at 215 North Cherry Street. "For this business plan to work, the theater must not be too large — 134 seats," Eisenhower said, adding the venue would be rental-driven and not compete with larger, regional venues.

Presenters said the project would be a public-private partnership and that the land and improvements would be donated to the Town of Kernersville after the board had performed due diligence and answered their questions. Crossroads representatives said a formal town endorsement would unlock local donors and businesses and enable a capital campaign.

Staff and aldermen asked clarifying questions about use, operations and economic impact; Crossroads cited a 2022 Americans for the Arts study about arts-driven visitor spending and said small groups in the Triad would regularly rent the space. No formal board decision was made; the presenters left brochures and requested that the board indicate formal support to enable fundraising.