The Warehouse Studio Theatre

The Warehouse Studio Theatre is a compact but remarkably vibrant studio theatre tucked away in Schaerbeek, one of the nineteen municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. For three decades it has served as the beating heart of Brussels' English-speaking theatre community, even though its industrial-looking building on Rue Waelhem still betrays little of its cultural life at first glance.

Where does the name "Warehouse" come from?

The name is no accident. The complex now known as The Warehouse was purchased in 1994 by three English-speaking theatre groups active in Brussels: the American Theatre Company, the English Comedy Club, and the Irish Theatre Group. Together they bought an adjoining former ceramics workshop and converted it into a 65-seat studio theatre. It's this conversion — from an industrial workshop into a performance space — that gave the venue its lasting name.

What's behind the warehouse facade?

The Warehouse Studio Theatre is far more than just the auditorium itself. The complex also includes a club room, two rehearsal rooms, a set-construction workshop, a props room, a costume room, and additional storage space for sets. This infrastructure allows the three co-owning theatre groups to run a full production cycle — from early rehearsals through set-building to opening night — entirely on site, without needing to rent separate spaces elsewhere in the city.

Who performs here?

While the three founding groups form the backbone of activity, the studio also hosts productions from other companies within Brussels' English-language theatre scene, including the European Theatre Company and improv shows staged by ATC Improv. This makes the Warehouse Studio Theatre something of a shared home for a range of performance formats, from scripted drama to comedy and live improvisation.

Why is it worth a visit?

For visitors to Brussels with an interest in independent and community theatre, the Warehouse Studio Theatre offers a rare behind-the-scenes feel: the intimate 65-seat auditorium means every show has a close, personal quality that's hard to find in larger commercial venues. It's also a compelling example of adaptive reuse of post-industrial architecture for cultural purposes, part of a broader trend of former workshops and craft buildings being repurposed across European cities.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Warehouse Studio Theatre located? The theatre is located at Rue Waelhem 69A, in the municipality of Schaerbeek (Schaarbeek), within the Brussels-Capital Region.

How many seats does the studio theatre have? The studio auditorium seats 65 people, making it one of the more intimate performance venues in Brussels.

Who owns and runs the Warehouse Studio Theatre? The complex is jointly owned by three English-speaking theatre groups — the American Theatre Company, the English Comedy Club, and the Irish Theatre Group — who purchased it together in 1994.

Are performances only in English? Yes, given that the venue was established by English-speaking theatre groups based in Brussels, its repertoire is primarily focused on English-language productions.

Does the venue host anything besides performances? Yes, the Warehouse also hosts rehearsals, set-construction workshops, and club meetings tied to the activities of its three founding groups.