BUILDING for the Future

“Bedlam has created something unique... and people around the country are looking at it and trying to figure out is there a formula here? What are the characteristics that we can take and replicate in our own places? ...they really mix the artistic, social, and community in this wonderful, energetic mix; it’s rare.”

Neal Cuthbert, McKnight Foundation

“It sounds ambitious, but based on what Bedlam has pulled off since 2006, it would be foolish to question what the group can do.... the sharpness and drive belies the madness of its name.”

City Pages (2010)

Building for the Future

The Social Experiment

From 2007 to 2010, Bedlam Theatre had a lucky chance to use 1501 S. 6th Street as a gigantic experiment, giving life to a full-blown bar/restaurant/community/arts hub known as The Social. The Social was the organic next step following a decade in the “Studio” on Cedar Avenue and has critically shaped our fantastic community/collaborative/radical history.

Now we’re turning our lessons from both spaces into the VISION of a comprehensive, extensive, mind-bending complex we like to think of as BEDLAM NEXT. We’re taking the opportunity of a break in non-stop activity to invest in artist/project development, to explore new neighborhoods with promising potential and to revamp our financial infrastructure so we’re ready for the next big move.

Theatre art has the potential to transform perceptions, enlighten us, and change how we view our daily lives. Exploring new spaces and "Bedlamizing" them gives us that opportunity to change the context of a space and think about how can things be different. It can be fun and also scary because change is sometimes. But maybe one or two nights we could experiment at some place new, try it out, and reflect on what we’ve learned. And we promise we won’t bite! Unless it’s consensual...

Your patronage at the Social was the foundation of BEDLAM NEXT momentum. Getting out of 1501 in the black made it possible to accomplish a lot of planning, strategizing and reorganizing this winter.

We need YOU to INVEST now to help us get there.

Bedlam Next: Build for the Future

As we envision it, the entire process of deciding geography, securing property and developing a permanent Bedlam complex will take at least two-three years. There has been discussion about opening a temporary Bedlam outpost. Before that happens, we need to be sure we have solid footing for our future planning. Investing in us during our Building for the Future campaign will allow us to maintain management of all programs and shows while continuing to explore new radical artistic opportunities and future homes.

ON THE WAY TO THE COMPLEX... Several neighborhoods in Minneapolis and St. Paul are being explored. We find an ideal location would have these amenities:

• Two or more flex spaces for theater production, 2500-4000 sq. ft, geared for intimate audiences of 150-250; One or more space outfitted to support concert, dance events, nightlife. One high visibility outdoor stage for seasonal production
• Social space including a restaurant, bar, coffee shop infrastructure supporting many community uses & diversified income in a vital atmosphere
• On site scene-shop for creating stage and local initiatives, offices, rehearsals.
• Teen drop-in center, a current pressing demand;
• Bicycle shop: a key adjunct since 1998 creates hub of transit that feeds off of patrons to the theatre and the theatre feeds off of patrons to the shop
• Potential new adjunct uses to include a visual arts gallery space, info center, bookstore, which would fluctuate to support the site location and local neighborhood interests.
• Studio/work space to support emerging individual artists.
• Forging new connections: all aspects of the site with fluid access and visibility to one another to support crossover of disciplines.
• Sustainable transportation connections: High visibility from at least one major auto artery but easier access via Twin Cities developing alternate transit corridor, with priorities set on bike and train.
• Close proximity of young & diverse audiences, with buffer to residential.
• Expansion of social/performative spaces and additional livability synergies supported by outdoor performances, patios & green roof tops.

INVEST in Bedlam’s Building for the Future… because who doesn’t miss the club house?