ABOUT THE BUG THEATRE

The Bug Performance and Media Art Center (also known as “The Bug Theatre” or “The Bug”) was created by a team of local, independent artists and designed to be an accessible space available to other artists and performers, particularly “emerging” artists who might otherwise be unable to access a venue of this kind.

The space was originally built as a nickelodeon movie house in 1912, known at the time as the Ideal

A street view of a brick building with a bright red painted facade in the center marked "Bug Theatre." The adjoining buildings include a gallery on the left and a shop on the right. Several parked cars line the street, and a tree branch is visible at the top right corner.

Theater. Throughout the century it has also been known as The World Theatre, The Navajo, and The Avalon, and also operated for a time as a Faith Temple Church, before closing in the 60’s and being converted into an appliance storage warehouse. In 1994 it was purchased by local artists Reed Weimer and Chandler Romeo, who incorporated it as a federal 501(c)(3) as “Bug Performance and Media Art Center” and named it The Bug Theatre, a tribute to the nickname the neighborhood kids used to have for the space – the “Bug House”.

In 1998 a resident theatre company was introduced to the space. This was followed by the introduction of a small staff in 1999, and the combined efforts of the award-winning Bug Theatre Company and the dedicated administrative staff succeeded in transforming it into the viable artistic entity it is today.

Since then, The Bug has produced live theatrical performance, forums, classes, and acclaimed monthly showcases featuring local independent film, music and performing artists, as well as bringing national and international artworks to our local audiences in the form of film festivals and traveling artists. It has also served as a multi-functional venue that provides a gathering place for community meetings, workshops, benefits, and other artistic events. The Bug continues to work towards its original mission to make the arts accessible to artists and audiences of all means, with both rental rates and ticket prices below the market “norm” for a space of its kind.

ABOUT THE BUG THEATRE

The Bug's History in Photos

A teal-colored wall with a large sign that says "BUG" in metallic letters and features illustrations of various insects. Below the sign, there is a small plaque with the number "3654" on it.

A brick building painted with a large red and black circular design features the words "The Bug Theatre" in bold white letters. The entrance has double red doors with posters and a small marquee on the wall displaying upcoming shows. The address number "3654" is above the doors.

A cluttered room with two film projectors on wooden stands. Reels of film are mounted on the projectors. The room has various electronic equipment, including a computer monitor on the floor, surrounded by wires. Walls are white with red electrical panels.

A black-and-white photo shows a lively street scene with a crowd of people dressed in mid-20th century clothing. The focus is on a man in a tie leading a procession carrying a statue. Behind, a theater marquee reads "Theatre" and an old car is parked nearby.

An empty, run-down theater stage with a partially exposed brick wall, flanked by large columns with lights. The stage and ceiling feature intricate designs, though both are old and worn. The wooden floor has scattered debris, and the lighting is dim.

An aged interior wall with a large crack runs vertically beside a fluted column with a Corinthian capital. The wall shows signs of wear and damage, including peeling paint and exposed plaster. Light filters through gaps at the bottom of the wall, highlighting the decrepitude.

A large, empty room with dim lighting and a high, decorated ceiling. There is a ladder on the left wall, blue plastic seats arranged in rows, and a stack of folded chairs leaning against the right wall. The floor is wooden, and the back wall has two doorways.

A large empty room with a patterned ceiling and some debris on the floor. A row of chairs is on the right side, and framed items are leaning against the left wall. In the background, three people stand near a stage area, with one person raising their hand.

An image of an abandoned theater stage with broken wood and debris piled in the center. Surrounding columns frame the stage, with visible EXIT signs on both sides. The stage is dimly lit with a few exposed light bulbs, casting a yellowish glow on the wreckage.

A black and white photo of four people on a stage, likely performing a play. Three are standing in the background, wearing casual clothing, and a woman is seated on a couch in the foreground. The set includes frames on the wall and some furniture.

Two people are lounging on a patterned couch; the woman is in a beige outfit, and the man is in a white shirt and dark pants. A third person, dressed in black and white, stands behind holding a drink. The background is dimly lit with empty picture frames on the wall.

A black-and-white photo shows a woman standing behind a glass display counter filled with various items, including boxes and packets. She is smiling, wearing a short-sleeved top, with a chair visible behind her and a textured wall in the background.

A colorful building with a sign that reads "The Bug" in playful, irregular letters on its blue facade. The building has a yellow side and red doors, with small bug sculptures affixed to the exterior. There's a bench painted with a whimsical design nearby.

A woman in a sleeveless blouse and high-waisted pants stands outside a building with glass block windows and double doors. Another person is visible inside, looking out through a window next to a rotary telephone. The image is in black and white.

A group of people pose together in front of a red wall with the text "The Bug Theatre" prominently displayed. The address number "3654" is visible below the theatre's name. Most individuals are smiling, and they appear to be having a good time.

A group of 12 people, comprising six men and six women, stand closely together, smiling and looking up at the camera. The group features diverse clothing, including t-shirts and casual wear, with varying hair colors and lengths, in a warmly lit setting.

An empty, dimly-lit movie theater with rows of red and maroon seats facing a distant screen. Movie posters and lights are visible in the back near the entrance, adding to the retro ambiance of the theater.

The image shows the exterior of a building painted in turquoise with "The Bug" written in large, stylized letters on the facade, surrounded by decorative ants and other bugs. Below the sign is the address "3654." A "Now Showing" marquee is visible near the entrance.

History in Photos

ABOUT THE BUG THEATRE

The Bug's History in Photos

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