Theater Artists Olympia, affectionately known as TAO, is taking over The Midnight Sun Performance Space in downtown Olympia. After 11 years of performances on stages from Tacoma to Centralia, the group will have a place to call home.

"We've been a gypsy group this whole time," says Pug Bujeaud, founding member and artistic director for TAO, "so it's both terrifying and exciting. I don't think people realize how much comes with putting on a show. ... But we have a lot of people involved that are really, really excited."

The Midnight Sun has served as a performance space since 1993 and has housed everything from punk rock shows to senior choirs, vaudeville performances to one-woman shows. For the past 10 years, manager and performer Elizabeth Lord has been a strong source of success for The Midnight Sun.

She sums up the passing of the torch by saying, "TAO will be awesome."

Many elements of The Midnight Sun will stay the same, although a new loft and elbow grease have already prettied up the place. But many of the aforementioned shows will continue and renting the Midnight Sun is still an option.

"We're really dedicated to keeping things going at The Midnight Sun," says Bujeaud, "... especially with Capital Playhouse closing, it really needs to be nurtured."

As with any venture, part of the nurturing process includes money. The group has started a fundraiser page, in hopes to get 100 people to donate $10 a month to help take care of rental costs and production fees.

Despite monetary risks and an identity change, Bujeaud has faith this is the right step for TAO.

"We've been a strong unit for 11 years," she says. "We're pretty unified and pretty strong. And we have great taste - as eclectic as it may be."

Chamber Music, an absurdist black comedy set in the year 1939, was the group's first performance as TAO 11 years ago, and will also be the first to grace the stage at their new home. The show runs April 25 to May 10.

CHAMBER MUSIC, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, also 8 p.m. April 27, 2:30 p.m., May 4, April 25-May 10, The Midnight Sun, 113 Columbia St., NW, Olympia, $12, 360.259.2743