Let’s see: The Rude Mechs moved out of the Off Center on May 15, and here it is, not even six weeks later, and the theatre collective is opening a new 5,000-square-foot space . So much for going the Scarlett O’Hara route of weepily wondering, “Where shall we go? What shall we do?”
The fact is, the Rudes were in the process of securing the space – 5,000 square feet inside the Austin American-Statesman warehouse, 305 S. Congress – even as they were exiting their East Austin home of almost 20 years. They’ve leased the spot for 18 months, giving the Rudes a base on the shores of Lady Bird Lake through December, 2018.
Crucial note, though: The space isn’t for full-scale performance, so the company is still without a replacement for the Off Center, and the space isn’t only for them. It’s intended for everyone in the local creative community – theatre artists, visual artists, filmmakers, dance makers, musicians, et al. – with an eye toward being affordable. That was part of the Rudes’ mission with the Off Center, so they’re bringing it with them to the Studios. And since they nabbed the space at $5/square foot, the Rudes are passing the savings on to you.
Dubbed Rude Studios, the new venue consists of five rooms of various shapes and sizes: two 1,600-square-foot rooms, one 696-square-foot conference room, and two 156-square-foot offices. (The remaining space will be used by the Rudes for their offices.) Knowing of the creative community’s need for different kinds of spaces, the Rudes hosted an open house on June 14 to show off the studios and learn how people felt they should be used (rehearsal space, maker space, meeting space, storage, etc.). Rehearsal space came out as the top priority, and artists needed it for cheap to free. (“No huge surprise there,” notes Rudes co-producing artistic director Lana Lesley.) From that input, the Rudes adopted base rates for renting studios by the hour ($15 per) and day ($35-50), with some communal areas in Studio A available for free rehearsal space and others available for storage and craft space. Also available for use are a half-dozen conference room tables and assorted chairs ranging from stackable plastic chairs to metal folding chairs. And in the near future, the Rudes will have a dance floor and light, sound, and projection gear available for rent as well.
By the by, the Rudes are open to weekly and even monthly rentals of the studios and to using them for things other than rehearsals – none are equipped for performance, but they could host readings or workshop events if the audiences are small. And if the stated rates are beyond the reach of artists or nonprofits, they’ll work with them to find a rate they can afford. All this info is already up on the Rude Mechs website, and the spaces are being booked, even as you read this, so if you’re an artist in need of space, shoot an email to info@rudemechs.com.
This article appears in June 23 • 2017.