OFF-MARKET CLOSES JAN 2010

Off-Market: "So Long and Thanks For All the Fish"

After seven years at 965 Mission Street and being an active part of the San Francisco Theatre community, The Off-Market Theaters will close its doors in January 2011.

Built in June of 2004, by Combined Artform’s Steve Kahn and Matthew Quinn and opening with “Working for the Mouse” by Trevor Allen, the original two theatre’s had to be built after a long process including changing the building code. The change was well worth it as the space quickly grew to include at its peak, several rehearsal rooms, two black-box theaters and a gallery theatre. Along with Combined Artform, several companies and theatre related services have been associated with Off-Market over the years and have called it home at some point; Custom Made Theatre, Lila Theatre, Primitive Screwheads, SF State, SF Playwrights Center, Beverly Hills Playhouse; Spontaneous Combustion, Rob Reece, SF Improv Co-Op, Tilted Frame, Comedy on the Square, Ray of Light, Limelight Books, Cassandra's Call and PianoFight, not to mention the hundreds of writers, directors, actors and audience who have shared their show and presence at the space.

Due to numerous partnerships with other companies through Off-Market, Combined Artform was able to assist other companies in taking over a venue/rehearsal space and running it themselves including Custom Made Theatre Company, Cassandra’s Call, Lila Theatre and most recently PianoFight, who for the last three years has partnered with Combined Artform to manage the venue. While there is a certain sad solemness to the closing of Off-Market, both Combined Artform and PianoFight are excited about the future and realize that ultimately the community they helped create will continue on as will their working relationship.

Combined Artform now turns its attention to further develop its presence in Los Angeles at the Theatre Asylum. Having just completed an incredibly successful Hollywood Fringe, Combined Artform is in the middle of running "The Best of Fringe" series. They will continue to work with the television and film community to develop new formats for live performance as well as producing and co-producing including Zombience with Improvatorium, Jane Austen Unscripted with Impro Theatre and the Asylum Improv Jam. Combined Artform will continue to maintain a Bay Area presence including the 10th year of “Santaland Diaries,” at the Eureka Theatre in December.

PianoFight will now focus its energies on creating a new theater complex in San Francisco. Currently seeking investors for the project, PianoFight has officially thrown its hat into the space race, and aims to have the new venue complete and operational by the time Off-Market closes. Til then, PianoFight will stage an all out blitz of new material. SHIT Show Wednesdays featuring Crisis Hopkins once a month build to The SHIT Show's salute to beer guzzlers around the world, "SHIToberfest." Monday Night ForePlays premieres new shows in September, November and December and PianoFight's most recent creation, "The Setup," which prompts three playwrights to each pen a one act play set in the same location which are then woven seamlessly together into one full length production, runs September 23 - October 2. Rounding out the year will be the return of "A Merry FORKING! Christmas" by Daniel Heath throughout December.

Both Combined Artform and PianoFight will continue to work together in creating a network between the Bay area and Los Angeles. Allowing their shows and others a chance to be seen by a wider audience and a growing community.

To celebrate the seven years of being part of the San Francisco community, Combined Artform and Pianofight will feature a special closing two week celebration with our favorite past and present performances in January 2011.

Directions

MUNI/BART Get off at the Powell Street Station, walk one block down 5th Street towards Mission Street, take a right on Mission Street (at the SF Chronicle Building) walking towards 6th Street. 965 Mission is located on the left side of the street. Parking Convenient parking is located one block away at the 5th and Mission Street parking garage.

Venues

COMBINED ARTFORM IN LOS ANGELES