In 2009, Travis Coles helped a production of Eve Ensler's "Vagina Monologues" find a performance space in the Club One theater. He produced the show under the name The Bay Street Theatre, named for our proximity to Bay Street in downtown Savannah. That production, along with the unfortunate closing of Cardinal Rep, inspired Travis to help keep local theatre thriving in Savannah. Valerie Macaluso, a veteran at Cardinal Rep, came onboard.
BST's first official production was John Cameron Mitchell's cult rock show "Hedwig & The Angry Inch" in the fall of 2009 (under the direction of Bridget Tunstall), which put us on the radar of local arts and entertainment writers. We followed that with "The Rocky Horror Show", which solidified our standing as a strong contender in Savannah's theatre community.
Since then, we have staged successful productions of hit shows while continuing to expand our audience. Our second production of "Hedwig" in 2010 garnered a Connect Savannah Best Of 2011 award for Best Actor (Christopher Blair), as well as Best Director (Bridget Tunstall). Our 2011 production of Cabaret played to sold out crowds, winning Best Local Production, Best Director (Jeff DeVincent), Best Actor (Christopher Blair), and runner-up Best Actress (Courtney Flood) in Connect's Best Of 2012 issue.
Our productions have also been tools for charity. Through V-Day campaigns, and other fundraisers, we have raised money for various local organizations such as The Rape Crisis Center Of Savannah, Stand Out Youth, Muse Arts Warehouse, and Savannah Pride.
Our events don't just end at theater either. We had singer/songwriter Jay Brannan for a one night solo acoustic performance, and brought famed actor Leslie Jordan to Savannah to perform his one man show. In 2012, we hosted Seersucker Live's Musical Episode, which featured singer/songwriter and author Mike Doughty. We have also hosted the Savannah Comedy Revue since 2010, which has brought comedians like Marc Evans and Artie Fletcher to our stage.
BST's first official production was John Cameron Mitchell's cult rock show "Hedwig & The Angry Inch" in the fall of 2009 (under the direction of Bridget Tunstall), which put us on the radar of local arts and entertainment writers. We followed that with "The Rocky Horror Show", which solidified our standing as a strong contender in Savannah's theatre community.
Since then, we have staged successful productions of hit shows while continuing to expand our audience. Our second production of "Hedwig" in 2010 garnered a Connect Savannah Best Of 2011 award for Best Actor (Christopher Blair), as well as Best Director (Bridget Tunstall). Our 2011 production of Cabaret played to sold out crowds, winning Best Local Production, Best Director (Jeff DeVincent), Best Actor (Christopher Blair), and runner-up Best Actress (Courtney Flood) in Connect's Best Of 2012 issue.
Our productions have also been tools for charity. Through V-Day campaigns, and other fundraisers, we have raised money for various local organizations such as The Rape Crisis Center Of Savannah, Stand Out Youth, Muse Arts Warehouse, and Savannah Pride.
Our events don't just end at theater either. We had singer/songwriter Jay Brannan for a one night solo acoustic performance, and brought famed actor Leslie Jordan to Savannah to perform his one man show. In 2012, we hosted Seersucker Live's Musical Episode, which featured singer/songwriter and author Mike Doughty. We have also hosted the Savannah Comedy Revue since 2010, which has brought comedians like Marc Evans and Artie Fletcher to our stage.
