Last Friday, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) proudly unveiled its newly renovated performance venue, MET Key Stage, marking the long-awaited transformation of the dormant “Wedgewood Room” into a highly anticipated gathering place where creativity, connection, and a little comedy take center stage.
The evening kicked off at 6:30 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting and reception, offering tours of the restored space, complemented by sparkling refreshments and an enthusiastic community turnout of MET’s past and present, longtime and new patrons. Following the formal opening, the celebration continued at 8 p.m. with a lively Comedy Extravaganza, featuring beloved local improv troupes such as The Comedy Pigs, Oh Crit!, That’s What She Said, Key City Improv, and Off Key: An Improvised Musical, with surprise acts adding to the festive energy.
The newly christened MET Key Stage brings new life to the Wedgewood Room, a space unused since 1975. Originally the formal dining room of the historic FSK Hotel, the Wedgewood Room has been meticulously refurbished to retain its architectural character—preserving original moldings, hardwood floors, and decorative elements—while being upgraded with acoustically optimized drapery and modern performance infrastructure.
Beyond aesthetics, the space now features professional theatrical amenities, including soundproofing, ADA-compliant access, flexible seating, lighting and rigging systems, as well as backstage support such as a green room and props/costume storage.
At its core, MET Key Stage is a catalyst for the next generation of performers, producers, and educators to experiment and thrive. It expands MET’s programming capacity, accommodating comedy, cabaret, youth and adult theatre education, and providing a rental venue for early-career projects and community gatherings.
This expansion meets a growing demand in Frederick for affordable, accessible creative space, supporting families, students, and adults with year-round theatrical offerings. More than performances, the space fosters arts access, cultural innovation, and economic vitality. With MET Key Stage now open, Frederick’s cultural landscape is richer and more vibrant with a renewed performance venue, an educational platform, and a community space.
Photo Credit: MET