Shakespeare and Company artistic director Tina Packer will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the company’s new Founders’ Theatre in Lenox, MA, on May 14.

The Founders’ Theatre is the first new performance space to be opened at Shakespeare and Co.’s new Kemble Street complex in Lenox. For the past quarter century, Packer’s players have called The Mount, Edith Wharton’s former estate, home. Moving from tenancy to ownership, Shakespeare and Company will be totally separate from The Mount by December 2001.

Shakespeare and Company is involved in a long-term, multi-million dollar fundraising effort to purchase, rebuild and maintain its Kemble Street facility.

The May 14 ribbon cutting will include discussion about the space and tours of the property. Sources at the theatre promise a “very exciting” surprise as part of the celebration, but have so far refused to offer any insights.

For information on Shakespeare and Company or the ribbon cutting event contact Jennifer Schimmel at (413) 637-1199 ext. 134. —By Murdoch McBride