The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has purchased the landmark Cuillo Centre for the Arts, and entered into a long-term lease agreement with Palm Beach Dramaworks to be the resident theatre company.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is West Palm Beach's oldest resident professional theatre. It currently operates on Banyan Street, around the corner from the Cuillo Centre. Palm Beach Dramaworks will renovate the center's 377-seat thrust mainstage theatre toward a grand opening in November 2011.

The company will complete its 2010-11 season on Banyan Street and then move to the Cuillo for a November launch.

"This is a landmark occasion for our thriving organization, and we are grateful for the City's firm commitment and dedication to the Arts, recognizing it as a vital component to the economic and social health of our community," stated Dramaworks' producing artistic director William Hayes. "For nearly five years, we've worked in tandem with city officials to locate a new home for our growing organization. We've hit many roadblocks, but persevered. The new venue will be renovated and transformed into a space that provides our patrons with a familiar Dramaworks experience. We are excited about the opportunity to expand our artistic horizons, while accommodating our ever-increasing audience."

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a non-profit, professional theatre that lures 19,000 patrons annually. Originally opened in 1999, the Cuillo Centre is located at 201 Clematis Street and is near the newly established waterfront and West Palm's restored downtown. The building also has a 45-seat theatre.

Visit palmbeachdramaworks.org or cuillocentre.com.