The Brick Theater - Rusty Red Heart of Williamsburg

by Lizbeth Ramos & Michael Navarro

Past (1940) and Current (2023)

Architectural Plans

Dimensions and Audio layout

Founded in September 2002 by Michael Gardner and Robert Honeywell, the storage space was renovated into a black box theater type.

It is an adapted performance space due to the original design not having plays hosted in mind.

Rooms would be created to fulfill certain needs such as a box office, dressing room, restrooms & tech booth.

A one-story level story with seating with a total capacity of 74 people including staff and crew. The inside is designed to be small, and dark space without any windows. Using only a stair metal platform to place the seating area for the audience.

RCP Plan

The RCP plan is a part of architectural drawings, showing the placement of various objects like mechanical or electrical components, such as lighting, vents, speakers, audio, etc.

Façade and Interior design

The low rise building is hidden between two apartment complexes while covered all over in graffiti.

Metal garage door is visible with no windows, while a bright red door is the main entrance and exit.

Above the door and the entire building is made of its signature rusty red clay bricks. The façade of the building mimics the surrounding buildings of the area, using only red bricks to keep it rustic.

Sketch by Michael

The Interior design is rather minimalistic, with bricks continuing all over and metal piping above for audio and lighting purposes.

There is no proscenium arch nor any hanging ornaments besides the already mentioned stage equipment.

The inside is designed to be small, dark without any windows. Using only stair metal platform to place the seating area for audience.

Auditorium would be made with a standard Steeldeck® platforms that holds 44 padded moveable chairs and total of 50 available for use.

Room for Improvement

Most recent renovation in 2020 was focused on making accessibility as its top priority. Goal was to make it safe and more enjoyable for everyone. Some changes includes

  • Create a permanent ramp to the stage
  • Reduce the size of the box office, increase lobby space
  • Make the bathroom wheelchair accessible
  • Build stairs to the storage and tech lofts
  • Extend tech booth to connect with the storage loft
  • Remove permanent risers for flexible ones
  • Maximize space in the dressing room

Every year for (at least) five years, they have goals to make the space an even sweeter place to make and see art. They also have a fundraiser set up to upgrade the place when needed.

Post-Renovations

Williamsburg Community

Sketch by Lizbeth

The area surrounding The Brick seems to be dominated by Residential low-rise buildings. However there is a big mix of new and old structures all around the area due to gentrification. Graffiti seems to be a common theme throughout and small businesses with establish companies competing with each other. Chalkboards stands are used as a way to grab customers attention on the streets. Majority of the attendees seem to know each other as well as the staff.

In the area, you can easily use transport on the streets or easily take the train or bus without any problem. The streets are totally free to be able to walk without a problem with signs that will help direct you where to go. This community's residents are familiar with the locations of all the shops, bus stops, train stations, and restaurants due to the way they are all connected. Even visitors feel at home and welcome here because of the area's overall pleasant and neighborly atmosphere.

Methods of Transportation

Productions and Events

The Brick is enthusiastically committed to presenting a wild variety of art, artists, projects, concepts, and events in the space. Most of the events play refer to theater, dance, comedy, music, and performance art.

Upcoming Events at The Brick Theater

Synthesis

The Brick Theater has gained a reputation for putting plays that reflect the Brechtian approach to controversial discussions about how Brecht sets up the stage with the play’s design and how the audience would experience it or interact with the performance. This illustrates how Brecht sets up the stage using the black box theater type to create this open interaction with the performances and audience.

An ideal use of the theater would be "Stunned Tree and Broken Bridges" with the only real change being the seating arrangement. It has the space for the moveable cabinets, projectors, speakers and lighting while having potential to add some more. Even stand up comedy would work great here but stuff like realism might not.

Orpheus, Hellerau 1913

When it comes to historical references, Adolphe Appia's ideas and stage designs would help create the foundation of The Black Box Theater type. Appia would combat realism and the removal of the proscenium arch. Both movement and space was very important to allow the actors be free. This would create an atmosphere instead of just representing a place. All of these things above could be applied to The Brick.

With a large majority of locals seeming to be their core audience, The Brick has been able to excel for two decades now.

The setup of the audience and improvements for wheelchair accessibility has made it welcoming to everyone. Ranging from college students, afterwork crowd and elders, they seem to represent their community of Williamsburg.

Bibliography

Past (1940) and Current (2023)

Dimensions and Audio layout

Sketch by Michael

Post-Renovations

Sketch by Lizbeth

Upcoming Events at The Brick Theater

Orpheus, Hellerau 1913