WILMINGTON — Ursuline Academy gathered its alumnae star power recently to announce the next major milestone in the campus transformation.
The school revealed that it is partnering with The Brandywiners, a community performing-arts organization, to renovate the Ursuline Performing Arts Center on North Van Buren Street next to the school playground.
The honorary chairperson of the fundraising campaign is actress Aubrey Plaza, a Wilmington native and 2002 graduate of Ursuline. She returned to her hometown to emcee an evening with a group of local philanthropists, supporters, alumnae and other partners, according to Brittany Keller, Ursuline’s director of marketing and communications.
Plaza used her wit on another prominent alumna, retired basketball star Elena Delle Donne, who graduated in 2008. Plaza joked that athletics “always gets the attention,” but that it’s time for the arts to shine, according to Keller.
The building will be undergoing a total renovation, she said, “but it will preserve architectural elements that provide such amazing character to the space.” The theater was built in the early 1900s and was originally the First Church of Christ Scientist. Ursuline acquired the building in 2002 to become a new venue for arts and community programs.
Thus far, Ursuline has raised $5 million of the $10 million goal. The construction timeline will align with the momentum of ongoing philanthropic support, she said. The school’s director of community impact, Erin McNichol, is forging partnerships with additional organizations to bring performances, workshops and cultural events to the campus.
The school is seeking a lead naming donor for the project. Keller said the timeline is dependent on funding, but the school hopes to occupy the theater by the 2027 Christmas season.
The partnership with the Brandywiners will be more than the sharing of a creative home, Keller said. She said the union will enrich the Ursuline curriculum, expand artistic opportunities for students, and create educational programming for people across the broader community.
