Z Space Studio

Programs: During the 2016 season, z space has persisted in regards to artistic excellence and fulfilling our mission to empower artistic risk, collaboration and camaraderie among artists, audience and staff in the service of creating, developing and presenting new work. Operating two venues in san franciscos historic mission district, z space fills an essential role in the bay areas arts ecology and continues to create new works that push artistic boundaries regionally and nationally. As a multidisciplinary new works venue, we produce and present a diverse array of work from acclaimed artists and ensembles such as wooster group, mugwumpin, opera parallele, joe goode performance group, zaccho dance theater, lines balletthe list goes on and on. Z space is proud to nurture collaborative artistic and producing partnerships with a group that includes american conservatory theater (a. C. T. ), berkeley repertory theatre, cal shakes, redcat, ars nova and piece by piece productions. 2016 was filled with many ambitious productions, co-productions and presentations. In november 2016, z presented a final workshop performance of weightless, created by and starring the kilbanes, a local rock duo. Z space commissioned, developed and will now fully produce in early 2018 this theatrical rock show, which will then tour around the country. Word for word, a program of z space, received rave reviews in november 2016 for their compelling production of all aunt hagars children which continued on to a tour in france. Z space teamed up with other reputable theaters to co-produce large-scale new works: the wholehearted with stein i holum projects and alone/together with levydance. We are especially proud of these collaborations that have reaped new works that continue to impact the national theater community: in 2014, z space began providing space, resources, and artistic support to the bengsons, a folk-rock duo. The result is two new pieces: hundred days and the lucky ones hundred days is the uncensored, exhilarating, and heartrending true story of how abigail and shaun bengson met and fell in love, and how that love unleashed their terror of mortality. After several workshops, including a successful run at the under the radar festival, hundred days will be opening off-broadway in nyc at new york theater workshop, running november to december 2017. Meanwhile, we have also been working with the bengsons on the lucky ones, a prequel to hundred days that explores abigails web of complicated and painful ties to her extended family. In spring 2018, the lucky ones will premiere in new york as a z space and ars nova co-production, before making its west coast premiere at z space in 2019. Z space rounded out the programming with a wide array of residencies, rentals and subsidized partnerships throughout the year. Highlights included: a festival of queer and transgender performance from fresh meat productions, 3 girls theatres production of entanglement, a film screening of lou harrison: a world of music, a tech parody called south of market: the musical, sarah shourds new play the box, and a one-woman show called licensed to drive while black by local artist nkechi emeruwa. Playwright peter sinn nachtrieb has been in residence at z space for the past five years. Nachtrieb was the recipient of the harold and mimi steinberg new play award in 2007 for his play hunter gatherers and has received wide recognition for his play boom, the most produced play of the 2009-2010 united states theater season (per theatre communications group). Since his residency at z space, we have developed and produced the totalitarians, a rolling world premiere through national new play network that reached wooly mammoth theatre in washington dc, southern rep in new orleans and finally to z space. Nachtriebs immersive comedy, a house tour, tells of the infamous porter family mansion with tour guide weston ludlow londonderry. This play activated the entire footprint of z space and showcased comedy legend danny scheie. Nachtriebs latest show, a making of a great moment, premiered at z space and merrimack repertory theatre this year. We are gradually making improvements to z space and z below for both artistic and functional purposes. We recently purchased and installed new sound and light boards in z below to raise quality of all the productions and to empower designers. The ada lift in z below has been out of service for the past year, and after extensive prospecting we have now secured grants from the kenneth rainin foundation and the voluntary arts contribution fund to install a new ada lift. The z space staff stepped up this season by taking on additional responsibilities, creating new programming to fill the space and hosting salons to connect to the broader theater community. Punch bowl, for example, is a staff and board-driven program that has attracted a new community of musicians and music lovers who might not otherwise attend theater. Staff have happily taken on front of house and bar duties (very successfully! ), and helped to manage the facilities. Although in the long term we do not want the staff to be overburdened with these responsibilities, we value that quality in our current staff and see the importance of hiring staff who are willing to invest in the future of z space. Z space has also learned that we have the loyal support of local foundations and the broader theater community. Lisa steindler met with many foundation officers and community leaders over the past few months and received ongoing guidance and support. This response was a good reminder that z space is a vital part of the bay area theater community. Not only producing our own shows but also providing a home for many local artists and arts organizations to present work. "i am proud to congratulate z space on their 20+ years of work as a pillar in the vibrant arts community that makes san francisco such a special place. Z space's combination of programming and support for artists and youth is a great example of the unique artistic community that puts san francisco at the forefront of creativity and innovation. San francisco mayor edwin lee. Awards & accolades2017: best performance space (best of the bay, 48 hills)2017: literary remix:word for word (sf magazine)2016: best performance space (best of the bay, 48 hills)2015: best performance art space (sf magazine)2015: wooster group names wildest theatrical moment of the year (kqed)2014: best performance space & best dramatic bar (the bay guardian)2014: hundred days wins tba award for outstanding world premier musical2013: bay area critic circle award for best entire production for word for words in friendship