By Jared Curtis
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The Subjective Theatre Co.
and leaders of The Des Moines
Social Club are aiming to
open doors in the spring
of 2009. Anyone interested
in donating, sponsoring,
working or being creatively
involved with the club should
contact Zach Mannheimer
at www.subjectivetheatre.org
or www.desmoinessocialclub.org
(which will be active in
mid-March).
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Unique club to bring
food, drinks and theater to masses
Des Moines Social club looks to
create all-in-one venue
Zachary Mannheimer was tired
of the New York theater scene.
He was looking for something new,
so he hit the road on a cross-country
trip looking for a new theater
scene to infect with his creativity.
After searching, he found that
Des Moines was the place he needed
to be.
“New York was saturated with
theater and it needed to be spread
out,” said Mannheimer, the founding
artistic director of the Des Moines
Social Club. “Des Moines was the
right size, a perfect political
mix and the scene had already
begun undergoing a renaissance.”
The Des Moines Social Club is
dedicated to providing a physical
space to congregate, eat, drink
and live out whatever artistic
passion theater fans desire. The
proposed location will house four
different amenities including
an European inspired restaurant,
tapas and wine bar, a fully functional
and flexible arts venue; educational
programs and offices rehearsal/classrooms
and production storage space.
The Social Club is striving to
be the first American institution
to be a self-sufficient artistic
venue without selling its art.
“We want to start a new model.
I don’t believe art should cost
anything; we are trying to be
a clubhouse that promotes the
community. You can eat here, drink
here, see a show, discuss the
show and take educational classes
all in the same building,” Mannheimer
said. “Normally people go out
for a drink or meal and talk about
a show after they’ve seen it.
Well here, you don’t have to leave
to chat about the show, which
might lead to conversations with
other people you may have never
spoken to before.”
The Des Moines Social Club is
a non-profit company. The model
they are trying to create has
never existed on this type of
scale. The club has the ability
not only to revolutionize the
theater and dining experience,
but also offer a new model to
the non-profit world. The restaurant
and public house will directly
fund the theater. All profits
will go towards paying production
expenses and all other costs involved
with running a performance space.
Other funds will need to be raised,
but having a constant source of
revenue will ensure the goal of
creating free theater.
“We will be producing two shows
a year, with the space available
for rent. We will not allow shows
to charge more than $20,” he said.
“We are really passionate and
believe this is an amazing opportunity
not only for Des Moines, but the
entire state.”
Mannheimer hopes to collaborate
with other local theater organizations.
“I’ve been a huge proponent
of the Des Moines Social Club
since Zach first brought it to
my attention during his initial
visit to Des Moines late last
spring. In fact, so much so, that
I have pledged my support, as
well as Theater ... For A Change’s,
in the effort to make this a reality,”
said Thatcher Williams, president
and artistic director of Theater
… For A Change. “Theatre companies,
comedy troupes, dance ensembles,
and so many more organizations
will be able to perform in a true
black box space that will be affordable
for them to rent, and in turn,
offer performances at affordable
prices.”
Volunteers and talent are encouraged
to get involved.
“There is such amazing local
talent to work with,” Mannheimer
said. “Anyone can act, but you
need the desire. We want to offer
an outlet to all creativity people
in the area and expose people
to writers and shows they never
would of heard of.”
Stage Notes: Making its fourth
and final appearance, “Riverdance”
comes to Des Moines March 14-16
for five performances. Seen by
more than 58,000 Central Iowans,
“Riverdance” is the number one
family entertainment show in the
country. With its thunderous celebration
of Irish music, song and dance,
the international phenomenon is
making its way across the country
in its “Farewell Tour.” Tickets
range from $32.50 to $67.50 and
are on sale at the Civic Center
Ticket Office, Ticketmaster locations
or charge-by-phone at 243-1888
and online at www.civiccenter.org.
CV
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