Some businesses may be shuttering in the Arts District, but meet a recent arrival: X Repertory Theater Company (XRT) is a new theater company and arts center that's in the midst of a (prolonged opening) at 1581 Industrial Avenue in the Arts District. Venice-based Sander Architects helped design the space, a 10,000 square foot warehouse that's been transformed into studios, offices, a library, and a cabaret space (the cabaret area is born from a loading-dock). Pictured in the gallery is one of the 1,000 square foot studios. It's made of cardboard tubes and acrylic and cost $25,000 to build, according to architect Whitney Sander.
As for the rest of the space, XRT's brave founders Aaron Ganz and Marc Jablon did the much of sandblasting themselves, according to the Architect's Newspaper blog. Providing a display space for artists, venues for musicians, filmmakers, and writers, and of course, a theater, the pair hopes that the space becomes a modern-day storefront. Classes are currently being held at the 25-person company theater, but the school's official opening isn't until June 1st. As for the neighborhood, the founders looked at Culver City, North Hollywood, and Hollywood, but decided on the Industrial Avenue location. "We wanted to bring something big and fresh and new to the neighborhood," Jablon tells us. He also adds: "The theater fits in very well down here."--Lynda Rivers
