Brava Theater to Finish Last Phase of Construction in the New Year

With the commitment of its staff and board of directors, Brava! for Women in the Arts hopes to finish the renovation of its landmark building by spring 2010. The venue located in San Francisco's Mission District on 24th Street, plans a Fall opening of the facilities which include a street-side Cabaret/Music space, administrative offices and Greenroom.

The project had to cease last summer when grant funds from the State agency were frozen due to the California state budget crisis. "It was a difficult time for Brava all around," says Artistic Director Raelle Myrick-Hodges "but, I was certain that we had to produce multiple works while simultaneously pursuing ways to complete the Brava Theater Center. It is the key to generating our own revenue for the organization over the next 20 years."

Brava! for Women in the Arts, whose mission it is to create, present and produce work that is an intersection of multiculturalism and feminism has resided on 24th Street since 1996. "We have been having a wonderful season. We have already produced three theatrical presentations including a work-in-progress by solo artist D'Lo and a collaboration with SF MOMA and Girltropolis." Say Myrick-Hodges

Managing Director, Hetal Patel was appointed earlier in March 2009 by Brava's Board of Directors. Her first priority has been to orchestrate the completion of the building. It was due to be completed in April 2009, but due to the state budget crisis, was forced to cease construction for an extended period of time. The state began releasing grant funds recently and thus work has begun with a completion expected by Summer 2010.

"This project has taken on a life of its own. Thanks to the patience and commitment of our Project Manager, Mike Neumann, our Architect, Anne Fougeron, and our Construction Company, Dale Stickney Construction, there is even a possibility to get this project completed after almost 8 months at a stand still. Working with this team has made this project worthwhile." Says Brava's Managing Director, Hetal Patel, "We have been anticipating the use of this space for over a year now, and with fingers crossed, only a few more months. We plan to program it with great music, cabaret acts, innovative theatrical installations, and hope to make it a space where neighbors and visitors feel comfortable, safe, and at home. "It sets a precedent for our commitment to making the 24th Street Mission District a lively neighborhood. We want this space to bring together the community, especially since it has such a street presence with large windows. The possibilities are endless!"

Brava is holding a Public Meeting with Staff and Board to discuss the building, answer questions, and provide more information about Brava. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.

Brava Public Meeting
January 25, 2010
6:30-8pm in Studio
2781 24th Street @ York, San Francisco, CA 94110

HISTORY OF THE BUILDING
The history of the Brava building make this renovation that much more exciting.

In 1996, after ten years in the Mission District, Brava purchased the abandoned York Theater, a 70-year-old former vaudeville house on the vibrant 24th Street Corridor in the heart of the barrio. Following a $3 million renovation, the BTC now houses two performance spaces-a 371-seat main theater and a 80 seat Studio Theater.

James and Merritt Reid built Brava Theater Center in 1926. Throughout the teens, twenties and thirties, the Reid brothers became the greater Bay Area's most prolific designers of vaudeville and movie theaters. The Reads built some very notable buildings that withstood the 1906 earthquake. The buildings would include the famous Fairmont Hotel on California street, The Call building (the large downtown domed skyscraper that is the signature in most San Francisco photos), the Music Pavilion in Golden Gate Park (nestled between the DeYoung Museum and the Academy of Sciences), and the present Cliff House. Before 1996, Brava Theater Center was the York Theater. And before it was the York Theater, it was known the Roosevelt Theater.

"Renovating a landmark building is challenging. There have been days that I‘ve thought, ‘just get me a box of a building with some stucco on the outside and let me be. Then, I go through our Main Stage to check on something and I remember why the permits and considerations are necessary. This building is beautiful. It should be kept as such." Says Raelle Myrick-Hodges when asked about the complexities of redesigning older buildings.

BRAVA'S RENOVATION AND THIRD SPACE
Brava currently has two spaces located at its 2781 24th Street location. The company's main stage which seats 365 with a much smaller venue that seat 60-75. The second space is utilized for daytime classes for youth and a rehearsal room for Brava produced works.

The final phase of construction will undertake a renovation of the street-side of the Brava building. The Cabaret space that will seat anywhere from 60-80 will have access from the street the organization will feel more ‘open' to its surrounding community. The space also includes a mezzanine level to watch performances, office spaces for the Brava staff, as well as a green room for performers.

"We are doing everything we can to make the as environmentally friendly as possible." Says Hetal Patel. "I couldn't imagine building a building in today's world without considering possibilities. We are starting small with a solar panel system on our room, air dryers in restrooms, and windows that will insulate heat."

SEASON CHANGE IN 2009 IN BRAVA'S PRODUCING SEASON

In a desire to expedite Brava's last phase construction the organization has made modifications to its current producing season. Due to extensive noise during the build, artistic director Raelle Myrick-Hodges has decided to reschedule Les Blancs, which was scheduled to premiere in the midst of the construction.

"It seemed unfair to the director and artists to have them compete with machinery sounds during the rehearsal and performance period. Finishing the building means making a exponentially better environment to create and produce work." Says Raelle Myrick-Hodges.

Though, Les Blancs will be rescheduled for later in the year, the anticipated The Beebo Brinker Chronicles, based on the Pulp Novels by Ann Bannon, Ramble-ATions written and performed by D'Lo, a new rock musical Scalpel! written and directed by D'Arcy Drollinger, and a dance performance series with Fou Fou Ha! are slated for the rest of the season.

The completion of the building has energized a hard working staff. There is a buzz in the building and the community. The New Year brings good changes to Brava.

REST OF BRAVA! FOR WOMEN IN THE ARTS THEATRICAL SEASON 09/10

The Beebo Brinker Chronicles (West Coast Premiere)
February 25 - March 13, 2010
Written by Kate Moira Ryan & Linda S. Chapman
Directed by Raelle Myrick-Hodges
Adapted from Ann Bannon's groundbreaking, award-winning pulp novels of the 1950s and 1960s, Beebo Brinker Chronicles follows the lives and loves of four friends in pre-Stonewall Greenwich Village.

Ramble-Ations
March 17-April 3, 2009 (Regional Premiere)
Written and Performed by D'Lo
Directed by Adelina Anthony
Performance artist D'Lo grew up gay in a Hindu Sri Lankan family in Los Angeles County. Immersed in Hip-Hop youth culture, D'Lo reflects upon what it means to be considred a ‘person of color', ‘gay', and ‘an immigrant'. Ramble-Ations reminds us of the cultural tensions and synergies that define and affirm us as a nation.

Scalpel
March 30-April 17 (West Coast Premiere)
Written & Directed by D'arcy Drollinger
Described as the Manchurian Candidate greets the Stepford Wives, Scalpel cuts deep into two great American obsessions: beauty and conspiracy. A darkly comedic rock thriller, Scalpel delights in a world where youth and perfection is the ultimate commodity - a commodity worth killing for.

Fou Fou Ha!
June 2010 (World Premiere)
Fou Fou Ha! is an animated performance troupe extraordinaire, described as "wildly unique" (NBC) with "genuine talent at it's best" (Metrowise Magazine). With a myriad of color-filled costumes- resembling a cross between Dr. Seuss, Antique Court Jesters and fantastic Anime characters, Fou Fou Ha! performs "jaw-dropping dance numbers" (7x7 Magazine) that mix a "Fosse precision with a Jim Henson sensibility." (SF Weekly)

Kitchen Series - Food and Theatre
Performed by the Precarious Theater Ensemble
Directed by Matthew Graham Smith
Brava and Precarious Theater Company bring food, wine and audience participation into the staged reading. Join Brava and Precarious Theater Company for a new way to experience staged readings - with great actors, great food and great fun.
March 7, 2010 - Drunken City by Adam Bock
April 19, 2010 - Sgt Casey's Remains by Lauren Wilson
June 14, 2010 - The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov

For more information on Brava! Theatre, please visit http://www.brava.org/