After two years without a home of its own, Reduxion Theatre has staked its claim on a brand-new performance space. The appropriately named Broadway Theater, 1613 N. Broadway, is a big step forward for one of Oklahoma City’s youngest and most ambitious theater companies.
In its first two seasons, Reduxion primarily was based out of City Arts Center. While the fledgling company found innovative ways to make the venue work for them, its limitations of space and location were challenging.
Erin Woods, Reduxion managing director, said having control of their own performance space offers greater flexibility in rehearsal, production and program schedules.
“It also offers us great versatility in the use of the space for performance, expanded educational outreach and a variety of other types of arts events,” she said.
Tyler Woods, Reduxion artistic director, said it’s thrilling for Reduxion to be the first theater company to have a performance venue on Broadway.
“Establishing a permanent live performing arts venue near the growing areas of Midtown, Automobile Alley and nightlife of N.W. Ninth Street feels like a natural step for us,” he said.
While the building is empty now, the new theater will house an intimate 45-70-seat performance space. Beyond its use as a theater, Reduxion hopes to bolster the larger performing arts community by offering the new venue for rental to area artists.
In addition to Reduxion’s ongoing giving and sponsorship programs, the theater has a new fundraising initiative to benefit the Broadway Theater.
Inspired by social-media and grassroots fundraising efforts, it introduced the “Sponsor a Square Foot” program earlier this month.
“By offering development sponsorships at the square foot level — $26 per square foot of theater space — we maximize our potential to gain new donors at an affordable contribution level,” said Tyler Woods. “It also gives us an opportunity to widely involve the community in the growth of our theater, giving everyone a stake in our company and new space.”
Reduxion’s sponsorship goal is to add one donor per day through the end of the current season in 2011. Since the program launched 26 days before the end of the year, the organization put forth an initial goal of “26 at $26” that is on track to meet the goal of 26 donors by New Year’s Eve.
“Every ‘Square Foot’ sponsor helps to get us closer to our goal of developing the Broadway Theater into a performance space to benefit the growth of the arts in OKC,” Tyler Woods said.
“Square Foot” donors will find their names posted in the theater’s lobby, and will be invited to exclusive special events throughout the season, including receptions, pre-show artist functions and sneak previews.
Broadway Theater will be unveiled to the public on the opening night of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Feb. 10, 2011. “Square Foot” contributions can be made at www.reduxiontheatre.com/ squarefoot.html.
