“Bramble Theatre Company is opening a performing arts space in Andersonville this weekend.
“Bramble Arts Loft, 5554 N. Clark St., will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony 10 a.m. Saturday followed by free tours of the theater until 4 p.m.
“The newly renovated loft on the second floor of a 1920s auto garage holds a 101-seat theater and a 50-seat moveable ‘black box’ space. There’s also a full-service bar and cabaret area that will be used for smaller performances and mingling.
“Performing arts groups can rent the loft to host events, said Bramble’s co-founders, Matthew Lunt and Karissa Murrell Myers.
“‘Our goal was to create a place with lots of choices for all the artists in the neighborhood, so everyone has a space to show their work,’ Lunt said. ‘It’s an arts loft, not a theater, because we want opera singers, dancers, musicians, all kinds of artists to come into this space.’
“The loft was designed by local architect Avram Lothan of Lothan Van Hook DeStefano Architecture. Lothan retained many of the original features of the parking garage, including its wooden beams and cement floors, Murell Myers said. A 100-year-old freight elevator in the back will make it easier for crews to bring in materials to build sets.
“In addition to the public spaces, the loft has a few dressing rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom with a shower and a washer and dryer for costume cleaning. There’s also a conference room that overlooks the loft, where Bramble ensemble members will have meetings and script readings.
“As a resident of Andersonville, I feel very deeply that the neighborhood deserves a theatrical space like this,’ Murrell Myers said. ‘I would love to be able to walk to more theater shows and I believe we’re filling a niche that’s needed. We’ve received an outpouring of support from neighbors, and I can’t wait to open our doors to the public.'” (Padar, Block Club Chicago, 4/5/24 )
Read the full story at Block Club Chicago
- Bramble Theatre Company Unveiling Andersonville Performing Arts Space Saturday, The second floor of a 1920s parking garage has been converted into a 101-seat theater and a more intimate “black box” space, plus a full-service bar and cabaret area, Kayleigh Padar, Block Club Chicago, 4/5/24
- Fresh ground for Chicago theaters—thorns and all, Bramble Arts Loft prepares to open in Andersonville, Emily McClanathan, Chicago Reader, 3/20/24
- Bramble Theatre Company’s New Performing Arts Space In Andersonville Aims To Help Revive A Struggling Industry; Bramble Theatre Co. formed right before the pandemic changed everything for performing arts. With the new Bramble Arts Loft, the company is hoping to create a renaissance for local theater, Joe Ward, Block Club Chicago, 6/7/22