A theater troupe that has made its home in a docked paddlewheel boat wants to trade its Sacramento River location for one in the heart of Midtown.

Capital Stage Company got its start in 2005 in a 115-seat theatre inside the Delta King, which is now a floating hotel and restaurant in Old Sacramento. The group opened its newest show, "Reasons To Be Pretty," there last Friday.

Now in their sixth season, the professional theater troupe's founders hope to increase the company's visibility and street presence by moving to busy J Street, a main artery through downtown and Midtown, co-founder and Producing Director Jonathan Williams said Thursday.

"I can't tell you how many times we've been called the 'best-kept secret in Sacramento,' " Williams said. "No business wants to be the best-kept secret."

The company's other founders are Producing Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte and Marketing Director Peter Mohrmann. Keith Riedell is the general manager.

Williams, the project manager, said they hope to start work next month to turn an old gun shop into a 125-seat, urban-modern theater. They took over the lease for a building at 2215 J St., where the Old Sacramento Armoury had operated for decades. To make sure no one misses the new location, they painted the front exterior red.

Their renovation plans are currently being considered by the city's zoning administrator. A public hearing on the plans and building permit may be scheduled for Feb. 24.

But first, the company's founders are scheduled to meet Wednesday with members of the Midtown Neighborhood Association to address concerns. The founders have discussed the plans with two other neighborhood groups. The primary issue involves parking, Williams said.

The number of parking spaces businesses are required to have depends partly on occupancy and hours of operation. The troupe has applied for a parking waiver with conditions that are still being determined.

The theater may be required to lease 32 or more off-street parking spaces for performances, but that number is also being determined, said city Associate Planner Robert Williams, who is no relation to the troupe's co-founder.

An arrangement is being discussed with the owner of a parking lot across the street, Jonathan Williams said.

"We're very aware that parking is a big issue for people," he said. "We've been working on a plan that will make everyone happy about this moving forward."

The old gun shop may seem like an odd place to build a theatre at first. But the building's impenetrable construction actually works. The absence of windows means no light needs to be blocked. The thick concrete walls make the structure pretty soundproof, he said.

Capital Stage Company has raised half of the $300,000 budgeted for the renovation through a private campaign. On Friday, the company launched its public campaign.

Supporters can get their names added to the new theater's walls or seats by donating $2,500 or $1,000, respectively. People can also donate any amount through the troupe's website. The company plans to open the theater in time for its seventh season, which starts in September.

The troupe has aimed for a niche by offering intimate performances of cutting-edge plays. The stage will grow from about 500 square feet to 720 square feet in the new theater. But the company won't have to sacrifice intimacy – seats will be placed on three sides of the three-quarter thrust stage, keeping all theatergoers close to the stage.

Sacramento doesn't have many small- to mid-sized theaters, and many companies can't afford a space of their own. Capital Stage Company has had "a great run" at the Delta King, he said.

"It's actually a really nice little theater," Williams said.

The Delta King Theatre packs a lot of character with its on-ship location and wooden seats. However, about 15 seats have only partial views of the stage. The capacity of the new space will allow the company to keep growing, he said.

"We cut our teeth in this space. We figured out how to be who we are in this space," Williams said Thursday as he sat in the theater. "As we are evolving and growing up, we need our own home now." 

Jonathan Williams, co-founder and producing director of Capital Stage Company, discusses plans for a new theatre at the company's present home, the Delta King paddlewheel boat.

Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @SuzanneHurt.