TheatreFIRST, which is to lease Live Oak Theatre at 1301 Shattuck Avenue, plans for a greatly increased community involvement at the venue in North Berkeley.

“We’re looking forward to a cross-pollinating, really lively environment,” said Michael Storm, artistic director of TheatreFIRST. “One of our goals is to make this space a true facility for the community.”

But Actors Ensemble of Berkeley remains concerned about the transition to TheatreFIRST. Actors Ensemble has managed Live Oak for 34 years and performed there for 48, but it has been on a month-by-month agreement with the city since 1986. In 2011, the city started a competitive Request for Proposal process for the Live Oak Theatre lease. A panel of two independent theater professionals and three city staff determined that TheatreFIRST’s proposal was preferred. … Continue reading »