The company's "Front & Center" magazine revealed the venue — originally slated to be completed at the same time as the newly-renovated 425-seat Laura Pels Theatre — is ready for the final phase of construction.

The new 1,600-square-foot space, which lies almost directly beneath the Laura Pels, is undergoing plans to include dressing rooms, new bathroom facilities for both actors and audiences and a lobby area with bar and concession stand.

When originally announced, plans had Roundabout's new off-Broadway home housing two spaces — the Laura Pels, to focus on programming new plays by established writers, while the Black Box would be used for more experimental works as well as workshops and readings.

The new complex at 111 West 46th Street — formerly known as the American Place Theatre — is named in honor of the Steinberg Charitable Trust, which played a key role in the renovation of the venue. The Laura Pels honors its namesake producer, philanthropist, long-term Roundabout board member and owner of Paris' Theatre de l'Atelier.

Roundabout opened the Laura Pels Theatre with the acclaimed Daniel Sullivan staging of Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel starring Viola Davis. The space is currently home to the Scott Schwartz-directed revival of Larry Shue's The Foreigner starring Matthew Broderick. Steven Dietz's three-hander drama Fiction played there in the interim and Jon Robin Baitz's The Paris Letter is slated next. The nonprofit also owns two Broadway houses with the American Airlines Theatre (dubbed its "home for classic theatre") and Studio 54 ("home for musical theatre and special events").

To become involved and provide support for the new Black Box, call Roundabout External Affairs Executive Director Julia Levy at (212) 719-9393. For more information on shows and subscriptions, call Roundabout Ticket Services at (212) 719-1300 or visit www.roundabouttheatre.org .