Bedlam Theatre

“It has been amazing to follow the startlingly rapid and profound success of Bedlam Theatre in the last four years as they have grown from a small, rag-tag company trying to make a go of a temporary West Bank venue, to a dynamic hub for creative revitalization, to a national role model for how to create truly community-engaged theater in the U.S. I am very excited to see what they learn and accomplish in their next, hopefully more permanent, venture.”

- Leah Cooper, Program Director, Minnesota Theater Alliance

Minneapolis, July 15, 2010—

Bedlam Theatre regretfully announces the end of it’s Cedar-Riverside venue within 7 weeks.

Since 2007, Bedlam has used the space to redefine the theater experience, creating an innovative, interactive social and cultural hub for audiences, artists and the community.

The groundwork is already being laid of the support, plans and resources necessary for a permanent Bedlam location in Minneapolis. But FOR NOW – we invite one and all to join in the daily bustle of the busiest summer of our Cedar-Riverside experiment – and celebrate the end of a fantastic 4 years.

The Move-Out details…

Bedlam received notice on June 30 from landlord, Fine Associates (dba Currie Park Developers), terminating its lease at 1501 S. 6th Street South in Minneapolis, effective August 31, 2010, to accommodate another community organization being displaced due to Riverside Plaza’s renovation project. Though the notice was sooner than expected, Bedlam has leased the property since 2006 with the knowledge that the home would eventually give way to future development. To honor short-term events and manage move-out logistics, Bedlam expects to leave 1501 no later than September 7th, 2010.

Bedlam staff, board and artists discussed plans for the immediate and long-term future of the organization at a town hall meeting with the community on Sunday, July 11. Bedlam is humbled already by the outpouring of community support. With much emotion, but optimistic spirit, the staff and supporters are sad to leave this space, but embracing this situation as an opportunity for a new chapter of Bedlam.

The theatre’s mission is properly supported in the long-term by a multifaceted community social hub venue. Bedlam’s priority will be determining the ideal solution for a permanent home as well as temporary solutions while it is developed. Bedlam is working with Redesign Inc. and others to explore both short and long term locations. Initial conversations with funders and partners have been positive as have initial meetings with Minneapolis’s Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED).

Bedlam is notifying and working to accommodate all of its community partners and fellow artists who have events or activities booked in the current space. The company is also working on its responsibility to all staff members who depend on Bedlam wages for their livelihood will be affected by the transition.

“Bedlam has been successful in this location and we welcome the opportunities that a new, permanent location will afford us,” says Bedlam’s Board of Directors President Scott Pakudaitis. “Now we embark on a new theatrical adventure.”

Innovative Work in the Bedlam Social…

In 2007, Bedlam moved two blocks from its home of ten years in a tiny studio next to Riverside Plaza. During the era of Bedlam Studio we built a loyal following and the beginnings of a Minneapolis institution. In the new world of the Bedlam Social at 1501, we’ve taken the informal social hub of Bedlam Studio and made it official. With more space and resources, Bedlam has created and fostered new work that’s more wildly imaginative than ever. We have a full restaurant, beer and wine bar with artists and audience in a nightly dialogue. We have the capacity for local and international guest productions, a fantastic mainstage as well as lounge spaces for late night music, performance art and experimental mayhem.

In this space, Bedlam’s community reach has far surpassed expectations. its Cedar Riverside Art Zone for Youth (C.R.A Z.Y.) engages over 300 neighborhood youth and young adults in skill building workshops, events and the creation of performances. GLBT specific partnerships ensure a significant gender-queer following. Bedlam’s ongoing interaction with activist and social justice groups concentrates on issues blending peace activism, labor issues, and ecology. Our partnerships in metropolitan livability and environmental sustainability include our long-time DIY bicycle shop and Transit for Livable Communities, outdoor performances greeting the LRT passengers, a local menu and full compost/recycling in our restaurant and work with the MN Watershed Management Organization to develop rain-gardens and water management systems in 2010. And we have many more examples of ways Bedlam benefits the community.

Bedlam has become part of a national dialogue to rethink the non-profit paradigm for arts organizations, with burgeoning success in our mix of community building, innovative art work and emphasis on earned revenue. Theaters across the country are looking at how Bedlam works with its community and generates earned income with a bar and restaurant.

Support Bedlam

Bedlam relies on the generous support of its community during this critical time. During its final six weeks at 1501 S. 6th Street, Bedlam will be celebrating four amazing years and is asking all of its audience members and supporters to join the party, support Bedlam, volunteer, have dinner and see some final shows in the space.

Those interested in volunteering should e-mail .  To donate, visit bedlamtheatre.org/donate. We will continue to make it with the support of our community. Please join Bedlam in thanking our city officials and community members for their support.