A place to dance, a place to fly...
Since 1976, ODC Theater has been the mobilizing force behind countless San Francisco artists and the foothold for national and international touring artists seeking debut in the Bay Area. Our Theater, founded by Brenda Way, has earned its place as a cultural incubator by dedicating itself to creative change-makers, those leaders who give our region its unmistakable definition and flare.
The ODC Theater’s 3153 17th St building has been ODC property since 1979, first operating as the New Performance Gallery. Before ODC, the structure was the J. Borg Hardware Store and before that a working stable. The Oberlin Dance Collective purchased the space after being evicted from their Mississippi Street Studio. They installed the studio floors themselves providing a home, performance and rehearsal space for the ODC artists as well as giving opportunity to local and national emerging artists. The New Performance Gallery opened in January 1980 with the Jazz Tap Ensemble performance on a half-completed floor. Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane were another memorable performance that year.
In 1982, a two-story annex of the New Performance Gallery was completed with more studios and office space allowing for further growth and artistic development. The 80’s established the 3153 17th Street venue as the dominant SF venue for avant-garde and emerging performing artists from across the nation with the series “American Inroads.” The theater program became one of ODC’s core programs presenting artists Bill Irwin, Margaret Fisher, Joe Goode, Margaret Jenkins, Eiko and Koma, Diamanda Galas and many more. ODC’s foundation seemed to withstand transitions and challenges along the way, including the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that shook the building and its inhabitants to the core.
In 1990, the ODC School and ODC Theater collaborated to create the Pilot program which supports emerging choreographers and now has over 275 Alumni. Artists among the 50+ Pilot presentations over the years have included: Sarah Michelson, Chris Black, Lizz Roman, Nora Chipaumire, Kara Davis, Amy Seiwert, Eric Kupers, Kelly Kemp, Brittany Brown Ceres and Jacinta Vlach.
In 1996, the New Performance Gallery became the ODC Theater. By this time the Theater had doubled its programs and tripled its audiences under the leadership of director Andrew Wood. The facility and programming had undergone massive changes over the course of its existence but it was clear by its success and growth that it was solidly rooted in the local community.
In 2001, The ODC School and ODC Theater created the Migrations program designed to take Pilot artists to the next stage of artistic development. The program includes a stipend to engage an artistic mentor and to underwrite two fully produced performances.
In 2003, Rob Bailis was hired as ODC Theater Director. His contribution and vision have established ODC Theater as one of the top presenters for new and cutting–edge artists in the country and reinvigorated the local dance community. He was instrumental in launching the House Special, a two week intense choreographic residency (in collaboration with ODC School) and the ODC Theater Artist in Residence program. The first three resident artists’, Kunst-Stoff, LEVYdance and MotionLab, were selected from the first House Special production.
In 2007, Rob Bailis received this distinction:
“Most Valuable Player: Now in his fifth year as director of ODC Theater, Rob Bailis is hitting his stride as a presenter, nurturing fresh local talent and bringing in exciting companies from New York and beyond. His taste is smart and sophisticated, his empathy for artists is instinctive and his enthusiasm is infectious. Look for him to make and even bigger splash with a series of major festivals at Project Artaud Theater as ODC Theater temporarily closes for a major rebuilding and expansion ins 2008.”
- Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, December 30, 2007
ODC Theater is now renovating its historic 17th Street venue incorporating 24 foot ceilings, new seating, and technological upgrades; a 50-seat second-story stage; two new classroom/rehearsal studios; an enlarged visual arts gallery; a new mezzanine for staff; and a café. In January 2008, ODC Theater hosted a celebratory Wrecking Ball party ringing in the end of an era with hundreds of performers, artists, friends and family celebrating 30 years. The Theater programming moved to Project Artaud Theater in 2008 with three ambitious dance festivals and has moved back to the ODC Dance Commons for 2009 with a new crop of Resident Artists and great aspirations for the next phase in its history.
Save the Date The ODC Theater Inaugural Season opens October 21-24 with Kunst-Stoff and LevyDance. Celebrate the culmination of a 40 year vision.
