Build ESPA: Secure the Future of Austin’s Creative Spirit

Help Us Move: Support the New Home of ESPA - East Side Performing Arts!

Welcome to our GoFundMe page!

We are thrilled to announce that First Street Studio, a cornerstone of Austin’s performing arts scene, is relocating and expanding to a beautiful new space at 979 Springdale Rd. We are expanding our support of Austin’s artists and creatives, rebranding as East Side Performing Arts (ESPA) - and building a new affordable theatre space in East Austin!

Austin is growing rapidly, and many artists who have made this city a vibrant cultural hub are being priced out due to rising living costs.

Our mission at First Street Studio has always been to provide affordable rehearsal and performance space for Austin's performing artists, ensuring that the city's creative spirit thrives.

This mission is vital to maintaining the quality of life in Austin.

We aim to provide a nourishing and intimate environment for independent artists to develop and evolve, helping Austin's art scene grow to rival those of the largest and most influential cities in the nation.

ESPA’s new space at Springdale & Airport boasts 22 foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and concrete construction - located right across the hallway from our friends at Ground Floor Theatre, and Austin Bouldering Project!

Why We Need Your Help

As we enter Phase 1 of our buildout in the new space, we need your support to make ESPA a reality. Our initial goal is $10,000, which will help us cover essential startup costs like lumber for sprung floors (creating a safe and sustainable place for dancers!), mirrors, lighting, theatre curtains.

However, it's important to note that the total amount needed to actualize the potential of the ESPA theatre space is $56,383.

Here’s a breakdown of how the funds will be allocated:

Curtains for Windows: (Black Velvet): $4,620

Additional Curtains for Wings and Configurations: $13,860

Curtain Hardware: $672

8 Lekolite Spotlights: $4,000

16 LEDs: $1,600

Audience Seating/Chairs: $4,500

Audience Seating Risers: $10,000

Cyclorama: $4,307

Lumber for New Dance Floor: $10,000

Door Lock System: $500

New Speaker System: TBD

Projector: TBD

Exterior Signage: TBD

Mirrors: TBD

Join Us in Making ESPA a Reality!

We invite you to become an integral part of Austin's arts & culture legacy, as we journey into the next chapter together.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal of creating a space where the performing arts community in Austin can reflect, connect, and grow. Thank you for creating a space where artists thrive.

Donate today and share our campaign with your network. Together, we can make ESPA a beacon of creativity and collaboration in East Austin!

If your generous donation requires a tax write-off and related documentation, those donations should be directed to our non-profit sponsor, Austin Creative Alliance (ACA).

Please click here to make a donation through ACA, where ESPA will receive 90% of the donated funds!

Our current home at 701 Tillery Street

Our Values

First Street Studio values creativity, connection, and affordability. We seek to create an intimate environment where creative risk-taking is encouraged, artistic career paths are bolstered, and local collaborations thrive.

Our Vision

First Street Studio aims to support the dynamic power of performance art by making space for our community to reflect, connect, and grow.

History

Founded in 2014 by choreographers Cheryl Chaddick and Katherine Hodges, First Street Studio was designed to provide Austin performance artists with a professional rehearsal environment. Cheryl and Katherine understood the importance of accessible and affordable space for the dance community. In 2019, Dorothy O’Shea Overbey and AJ Garcia-Rameau joined the team, guiding First Street Studio through the adversities of the pandemic and an 80% rent hike, ensuring it not only survived but thrived. In 2022, AJ & Dorothy took on full ownership of FSS, continuing to protect and nurture this vital center for Austin’s performing artists.

Our Mission

Today, First Street Studio, soon to be ESPA, remains a staple arts organization in ATX and a vital center for Austin’s community of performing artists. Our mission is to provide an equitable and accessible space that embodies creativity, connection, and affordability. We offer an intimate and safe environment where creative risk-taking is encouraged, artistic career paths are bolstered, and local collaborations thrive.

East Side Performing Arts Team:

AJ Garcia-Rameau & Dorothy O'Shea Overbey - Owners

Paula Lewis - Studio Manager

Ty Graynor - Marketing Director

The old sign at our original home on Cesar Chavez!