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In recent years, the Passyunk Square neighborhood has been infiltrated with young artists and other creative types laying down stakes alongside established seniors and families.
So in late 2008, when Joe Canuso, Producing Artistic Director and actor for Theatre Exile, was looking for a multi-purpose office and studio space, he fell in love with a former garage at 13th and Reed streets — located within walking distance to his Queen Village residence.
“It was perfect for us. It’s exactly what we were looking for. It fit our price range and it’s in South Philly,” he said. “The nice thing about it is there are so many artists who are moving into this neighborhood. Having this space here with all the artists who can walk or bike here, makes it simpatico.
“I don’t think we could have found a better location than this. Being in this neighborhood has been a joy.”
Now a year after taking up shop, the 113,024-square-foot Studio X is up and running, serving as Theatre Exile’s rehearsal studio and where props also are built for their productions at The Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St. The cast for “Any Given Monday,” which debuts at Plays and Players Feb. 4 and runs through Feb. 28, is currently using the space. Written by South Philadephia’s Bruce Graham (“The Philly Fan”), the play is about a man named Lenny, played by Canuso, who’s not having a good Monday — his two least favorite football teams are playing, his daughter is having a crisis of faith and his wife has left him for some jerk who builds Wal-Marts.
“It’s definitely a luxury to have your own rehearsal space. Having your own space makes things a lot easier for us,” Canuso said.
The first public performance at Studio X took place Jan. 18 and was part of the company’s five-part Reading Series where Philadelphia playwrights reveal their works before an audience then get feedback — kind of like test marketing. With a small temporary stage in place and folding chairs for the audience, Robert Smythe, who read his “Quicksilver,” drew about 75 people.
“It was standing room only,” Canuso said.
Arden Kass’ “Dreamland” is the next reading on Feb. 15.
“It’s very helpful for the playwright if they feel the piece needs some help and more work, and also, the response from the audience as to what is working and what is not working. It’s an opportunity for them to try out their work. In that way, we feel we are doing a service for them,” the artistic director said.
By summer, Canuso said he hopes to bring in small theater productions with scaled-down sets because of the limited space, but still fully produced. Looking toward fall, he has his sights set on September’s Fringe Festival.
“We’re hoping to do a small Fringe show in here,” he said.
State grant money will help divvy up the space that he describes as “raw” at the moment.
“That’s going to help as far as what we’re going to do in there,” Canuso said.
Some of the money will be used to put in a second bathroom, bring in permanent risers for seating and get a better lighting system for stage performance.
First though, there’s some minor zoning issues to deal with. In June, the Passyunk Square Civic Association granted zoning approval from commercial to public performance. A month later, the city OKed temporary zoning for public performance for 50 to 75 people. Part of the stipulation was the group could not charge for performances until it got final approval, pending some interior electrical work, Canuso said, adding he’s in the process of bringing the place up to code.
The space is equipped with two entrances/exits, as well as a bathroom.
“Everything was already in code so we didn’t really have to change anything,” he said.
By summer, Canuso hopes to start putting on small theatre productions and is considering taking up Columbus Square Advisory Council Vice President Ilene Wilder on her request for theater in the park — Columbus Square Park located across the street from Studio X.
“That was the first thing I asked them,” she said with a laugh.
A former dancer whose husband is an artist, Wilder resides two doors down from the facility and said she’s all for supporting the arts.
Wilder and some of the other neighbors displayed their enthusiasm for the new group by attending the Passyunk zoning meeting to support Canuso, a Villanova University theater grad.
“We have a very emerging neighborhood with young professionals moving in, young families with children who appreciate exposing their children to arts and culture,” Wilder said. “I think having a theater group in the midst of this is delightful. I think there is a general sense in the neighborhood that it’s a cool thing to have a theater right in your neighborhood. What a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. It makes it vibrant.”
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