Stage Werx theatre hosts classes, workshops, rehearsals, plays, improv, solo performance, sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, storytelling, circus arts, music, movies, speakers, wacky game shows and more. We have a track record for eclectic, off-beat and daring performance. With a cozy intimate 70 seat house and room for more there’s not a bad seat to be had.
Located in the heart of the Mission District, specifically, the Valencia Corridor, there’s no shortage of places to eat, drink or shop and with public transportation half a block away, there’s lots of reasons to come out and play.
Mission Statement:
Stage Werx Theatre’s mission is to engage, inspire and entertain audiences with varied programing that reflects the diversity in our community. We are committed to a working environment that fosters inclusion and encourages collaboration. With our rigorous standards, providing a state of the art, well-maintained and safe space, we create an atmosphere that empowers artists and technicians to be fully self-expressive. We believe strongly in education and that arts education increases empathy, self-confidence, communication and a deepening cultural understanding.
Community – At Stage Werx we actively seek out artists from diverse backgrounds. BIPOC, AAPI, LGBT+, differently abled, people living with mental illness and low income opportunities are created to reflect the diversity in our community. We offer discounted or free tickets to those that request a need and we provide free tickets to recovery houses such as Delancey Street, Ohloff House, Healthright360 and Salvation Army.
Inclusion – Radical Hospitality. Honoring individual needs during the creative process provides a safe space where artists feel welcomed, supported and challenged to do their best work. We understand and value the power of language and action when considering the needs of the working artist.
Education – We pride ourselves on the many opportunities we offer to our diverse community to learn, grow and hone their crafts.
Our technician training opportunities provides a diverse group of artists marketable skills and another exciting way to participate in the process. Our Improv college gets students up on stage and in front of audiences immediately before nerves can get the best of them. We’ve been hosting the Solo Performance Workshop for over a decade, crafting solo performances that have gone on to entertain audiences around the planet. The SF Youth Theatre is providing invaluable training for our kids to learn, grow, explore and dream big.
Fun – We’re committed to ensuring that our artists and audiences are surrounded by the element of fun. From creating to attending, we value the importance of positive energy and work to ensure the stresses of the day are left at the door.
Inclusivity Statement:
Stage Werx Theatre strives to make sure our theatre is accessible to the whole community. If you have Autism considerations, sensitivity or sensory issues, physical accommodation needs, ASL interpretation or other considerations we want to make your experience as accessible and comfortable as possible. Additionally, if you are low income and you would like to come see a show and do not have the financial means to make this happen, please let us know. No one is turned away from Stage Werx produced productions for lack of funds.
For Accessibility Services contact Ty Mckenzie stagewerx@gmail.com
Ty Mckenzie (she/her sometimes sir/that guy) (Owner/Technical Director/Artistic Director) has 20+ years of experience working in theatre and managing theatre houses, producing and promoting shows as well as all technical aspects of running a live venue. Ty believes that artists and performers should not be bound by money and has strived to provide an affordable venue for everyone as well as creating performance opportunities and creating a tech training program to provide skills to theatre techs.
Ty got her start at Spanganga with Sean Kelly. He taught her to take risks. Co-owning the Dark Room Theatre allowed her to put those skills into action. With the incarnation of Stage Werx she can now fine tune those skills and provide a well-run, state of the art, supportive theatre. She couldn’t have done any of it without the unending support of Linda Ayres-Frederick. Their relationship goes way back and continues on as Ty still works as her Technical Director over at both Phoenix Theatres in Union Square. Shout out to Mike Anderburg who filled her head with wonderful technical and creative things and to Bart Grady who also infused her with knowledge and ideas and most of all.. Whiskey.
Kenny Yun (he/him) (Director in Residence) taught solo theatre with Charlie Varon for a decade at The Marsh where they developed a method of directing. Kenny directs solo shows for The Marsh, Stage Werx, and fringe festivals. Solo Sundays regularly recommends him to coach their performers yearlong. Kenny is passionate about theatricalizing solo performance by reintegrating rich emotional life and vibrant physicality onto the stage. He is thrilled to collaborate with Ty to create experimental theatre. Kenny brings lifelong practices from spiritual traditions, healing communities, shamanistic ancestry, Jungian training, and theatre craft to devise new work with Stage Werx’s community of artists.
Kenny has a performance background with standup, improv, and plays. Classical and modern theatre training from A.C.T, BATS, Berkeley Rep, James Donlon, and Shelton Studios. Stage choreography and directing training from NIPAI in Berlin. English Literature degree from UC Berkeley
Bruce Pachtman (he/him) (Co-producer/ Artistic Director)
In 1999, Bruce wrote and performed a solo show titled “don’t make me look too psychotic”. Scheduled to run in San Francisco for 18 performances, it continued for 68 weeks, played Philadelphia for four months and closed after a 13 week residency in Union Square. “Psychotic’s” remarkable success had an unexpected result. Solo performers approached Bruce to help them market, produce, and publicize their shows. His client list has grown to include theater, opera and dance companies, comedians and improv groups. Bruce has worked extensively with W. Kamau Bell (who directed “don’t make me look too psychotic”) and currently co-produces the long running solo performance series Solo Sundays at Stage Werx.
Abraham Dover (he/him) (Clown Artist in Residence) Gherkin Picklewater (Abraham Dover) moved to San Francisco in 2005 to pursue a love of performing and producing. After graduating from the Clown Conservatory at San Francisco Circus Center, he started producing a local yearly circus festival that ran for 11 years. From that he sprang off into theatre, video, and podcast production. He has been producing variety shows at Stage Werx for many years with the critically acclaimed Clown Cabaret and most recently his wildly successful Cirque Oui-Et hosting, acting, improvising and clowning with an extraordinary, diverse cast of clowns, circus artists and clever improvisors.
Martha Rynberg (she/her) As Principal Director at Solo Performance Workshop (SPW), Martha is dedicated to developing socially relevant, politically conscious, personally challenging solo performance. Martha has worked with over 100 performance artists to find the story in personal histories and social/political movements.
Martha is the director of the internationally acclaimed W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour, the basis for Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, a late night talk show on FXX. Martha worked as producer on Totally Biased, sculpting content and coaching performance.
Emily Klion (she/her)
Founder and Executive Director San Francisco Youth Theatre
Emily specializes in collaborating with artists from all disciplines, creating and producing new works of theater for youth with an emphasis on social justice. Emily has been teaching music and theatre to youth for nearly 40 years, and enjoys creating music for SFYT’s original productions.