Bindlestiff Studio

The show was entertaining but I could not enjoy it because they packed the audience so tight with tiny pub chairs right against one another. Every member of the audience was physically touching shoulder and thighs against one another. Not cool! Not comfortable.
Treat your paying guests better because they support you.

I volunteered and watched «The Strange Case of Citizen de la Cruz» and it was amazing. I had never been to a black box theater and a Filipino play. I absolutely loved it and it reminded me of my old thespian troupe in high school because everyone was friendly and professional.
I would say the only flaw about my experience is the location because as soon as my friend and I walked out of that theater, there were 3 men randomly touching my friend and then we saw a woman step over a man and not moving so we called the police. He ended up being on the news and he was dead.

My friend invited to see «My Tia Loca’s Life Of Crime» and I enjoy this amazing play filled with life music, singing, humor and… good acting.
The building is really cool and just renovated and the stage is in the basement with small and intimate setting with stage between right in the middle while audience watches from both sides.
You can feel the passion from staff that works there. Everyone is super friendly.

My favorite black box theater — from all the years of going to Bindlestiff as an audience member, actress, director, writer, and producer, I have only fallen more and more in love with the theater. It’s a safe space for artists in the community to learn, grow, and support themselves in their art.
Bindlestiff has also been a positive beacon in the SoMa community of San Francisco. They hold workshops for the public, teach youth about art, and provide a space for the community to be empowered.
If you want to see things you have never experienced before — shadow puppetry, punk rock bands, improv, stand-​up, etc. — then come watch Bindlestiff! You’ll be a fan for life :)

We were fortunate enough to catch «Death of a Player» during it’s final days I have to say, we were not disappointed! Overall awesome show by a great group of talent. The studio is in a less than desirable location but that won’t prevent us from attending another show. Great job, folks!

you can’t fully appreciate Bindlestiff Studio without knowing its history of struggle, «never giving up» as its mantra, and its value to the Filipino American community which also translates to all people of color community.
You can now enjoy a newly built theater, oh and the air conditioner works now. Its amazing as a space. But for those of us who know the original space and the Natoma space, home is built by the efforts of the community.
As for the plays/​music shows/​comedy that you will see, it is counter-​narrative.

Beautiful, clean and intimate… just like how I like my theater. The newly built Bindlestiff is another diamond in the SOMA area.
I was fortunate to attend the opening night of Stories High (an annual collection of one act plays written, directed and casted by local talent). It was an amazing show! Amazing writers, directors and cast. Each piece was unique and kept you enthralled from beginning to end.
Can’t wait for the upcoming all female show in October and the solo show «Forgetting the Details» in November.
Don’t let 6^th street scare you away from this hidden gem. Come out and support local theater!
TIP FOR TOURISTS:
— Walk down 5^th street and then turn Right on Howard… and don’t walk alone at night.
— Also, dress in layers… as it can get a bit hot like the Philippines under all those lights in the 99 seat theater.

I was lucky enough to be in the part of the audience that inaugurated Bindlestiff’s first production at their new site. From the google maps, the new site is a block and half from the old site– it’s still in the same sketchy neighborhood, but now in a brand spanking new building.
As an idea, I really appreciate Bindlestiff because it is haven for new and upcoming artists and has influenced a stronger API community. My friend was given the opportunity to direct one of the plays in the five series «Stories High XII» production through this studio. Although she had copious amounts previous theatre experience, this was her first time as a director and it was very exciting (and inspiring!) to see her talent and ideas on display.
The theatre itself can hold about 100 people, and has two seating platforms that face the stage. The stage itself is close to the audience, and pretty intimate– it can get warm down there from all the lighting. Since it is new, everything is super clean and some of the walls still have that fresh paint smell.
I would absolutely recommend paying this studio a visit… with some company of course.