EXIT Theatre

Supported by the Hewlett Foundation since 1987, the Exit Theater is a complex of small performance venues located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. Located on the ground floor of a low income residence hotel, the Exit currently rents a 49 seat theater and a 99 seat venue to emerging artists seeking an inexpensive place to put on a show. The Exit also rents a 70 seat theater to the Cutting Ball Theater (a Hewlett grantee) on a full time basis for its home season. The Exit saw demand for its spaces grow 60% last year, enabling them to present 646 performances including San Francisco’s acclaimed annual Fringe Festival. With demand growing, and a successful history of converting store-front space into dynamic performing arts facilities, the Exit has recently secured a 30 year lease on a 1,680 square foot space adjacent to its current theaterplex. With project support Exit will convert this former bakery into a 49 seat theater, a classroom/rehearsal space, an office for theater operations and develop a façade on Eddy Street.