Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is applying for an expansion to The Barns, an enclosed theater that supplements its main performing arts center.
Housed in two restored 18th-century barns, the venue at 1635 Trap Road hosts concerts and performances mainly from October through May — when the Filene Center is typically closed. It also has space for patrons to enjoy food and drinks during the summer season.
The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts submitted an application to Fairfax County on May 16 seeking a special exception amendment to allow a new, one-story addition to The Barns.
“This new structure will effectively add a third barn to The Barns,” the application said.
The Barns currently has an approved maximum capacity of 352 patrons, but it can accommodate 382 patrons when the movable seats are taken out, land use attorney Kathryn Taylor wrote in a statement of justification on the Wolf Trap Foundation’s behalf.
However, the venue’s capacity for pre-show dining is limited, with seats and tables for only around 130 to 150 patrons.
“Initially approved as an ‘ice cream bar’ with the original special exception, this auxiliary food service has evolved over time in connection with the various approved building improvements and expansions,” Taylor wrote. “The present food offerings are akin to a restaurant use and now includes a full dining menu and bar.”
The application said the new building would allow for more pre-show seating, resulting in a total seating capacity of approximately 270 people. Located on the southwest side of the current buildings, the addition would be approximately 5,300 square feet in size with 3,300 square feet of cellar space.
The seating would only be in use for those at The Barns for a ticketed performance or have rented the facility for a private event and won’t be open on a daily basis, according to the application.
The new structure will also include 16 new — and sorely needed — restroom facilities, along with ADA-accessible bathrooms. A 550-square-foot of the existing kitchen area is proposed “to accommodate more efficient dishwashers and other similar appliances,” but the existing food and beverage service won’t be expanded.
Per the application, the expansion will be constructed with historic wood to stay consistent with the existing architecture of The Barns. Some sustainable design practices, including LED light fixtures with occupancy sensors and “high-performance HVAC equipment,” will be integrated.
Taylor said the new building isn’t expected to have a significant impact on traffic, because it’s intended to accommodate current visitation levels, not draw additional patrons.
“The Applicant’s proposal to permit a new building addition to the existing Barns will improve and enhance existing amenities offered to patrons, optimize the usage of The Barns, and better the overall experience for all visitors,” Taylor’s statement said. “… The Barns at Wolf Trap has actively served and supported the performing arts community for over four decades and looks forward to continuing to do so for many years to come with the integration of this proposed building addition into its operations.”
Wolf Trap National Park kicked off its summer season at the Filene Center this past weekend with a free concert and fireworks show on Sunday (May 25), led by “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band.
Additional highlights include the Avett Brothers on Friday and Saturday (May 30-31), “Wicked” Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, a new Latin music festival in July called Todo Sonido, and more. The Wolf Trap Foundation recently announced a third show for singer-songwriter Paul Simon on June 4 in response to “overwhelming demand” for his scheduled June 6 and 7 appearances.
Though many national parks have been rocked by worker firings and funding cuts, changes to the National Park Service’s operations don’t affect the programming at Wolf Trap, a spokesperson for the foundation told FFXnow.
“We do not anticipate any changes to the season,” the spokesperson said.
The original headline incorrectly conflated The Barns at Wolf Trap with Wolf Trap National Park. The Barns is run by the Wolf Trap Foundation but not officially a part of the park. It has been corrected.
