Well, I recommend that when and if you need to attend go by Uber. It worked out for what it was needed for. Think safety

My friend invited me to celebrate Pride Month with her in the city. What better way to do that than to go see and support her childhood friend who was staring in a collection of short plays called, "Queer as F*ck." Bindlestiff Studio is a local, Filipino theater company that cultivates artists and celebrates diversity. The characters of the plays were of all persuasions and featured real and personal experiences. As well as expressed the frustration we are all feeling regarding today's political climate and current events. Each play was very well written and thought provoking. Taking their audience on a journey to the sad and heartwarming to the funny and outrageous! I appreciate Bindlestiff Studio's focus on the values, traditions, and histories of the Filipino American culture. Their dedication to showcasing Filipino American and Pilipino artists is admirable and a necessity as I feel that Filipinos are often underrepresented and absent in American entertainment. As a woman of Filipino descent, the family dynamics in a few of the plays were relatable and the accurate representation of real people and their experiences was refreshing. The venue is small and located in a pretty sketchy neighborhood. Despite the location, the performances and production were engaging and certainly touched the hearts of their viewers. Given the opportunity, I would love to return and see another show as well as support this inspiring theater company. read more

Bindlestiff Studio - "Bindlestiff Studio cultivates artists who reflect & celebrate the diverse values, traditions, and histories of Filipino American cultures." - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Ohhhh, little theater, how I longed to love thee, to fill this review with glowing adjectives of admiration and adoration! Alas, you are so stuffy, dusty, and poorly ventilated that I still feel like I'm gasping for air hours later. Not to mention dehydrated and desperately thirsty. Perhaps you could sell some bottles of water...? Or hack a window into your dim basement so that people might breathe? Equally tragic that I could never come here alone after dark for fear of being stabbed. Ladies and gentlemen, bring mace. read more

Beautiful, clean and intimate...just like how I like my theater. The newly built Bindlestiff is another diamond in the SOMA area. I was fortunate to attend the opening night of Stories High (an annual collection of one act plays written, directed and casted by local talent). It was an amazing show! Amazing writers, directors and cast. Each piece was unique and kept you enthralled from beginning to end. Can't wait for the upcoming all female show in October and the solo show "Forgetting the Details" in November. Don't let 6th street scare you away from this hidden gem. Come out and support local theater! TIP FOR TOURISTS: - Walk down 5th street and then turn Right on Howard...and don't walk alone at night. - Also, dress in layers...as it can get a bit hot like the Philippines under all those lights in the 99 seat theater. read more

Bindlestiff Studio - Bindlestiff Studio at night. The sign outside - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My friend invited to see "My Tia Loca's Life Of Crime" and I enjoy this amazing play filled with life music, singing, humor and...good acting. The building is really cool and just renovated and the stage is in the basement with small and intimate setting with stage between right in the middle while audience watches from both sides. You can feel the passion from staff that works there. Everyone is super friendly. read more

Although this review will not seem to reflect the 4 stars, I'm aware that live theater in the Bay Area is struggling and needs our support, so you have to be a little forgiving of the cons listed below. Pros: 1) great staff. It was our first time here, and the guy in front was welcoming, informative, and friendly. 2) they don't sell alcohol, but allow you to bring in drinks from the liquor store right next door. 3) they allow you to bring in your own food. 4) small theater and you can see from anywhere. 5) show (Boeing, Boeing) was great - very well done. Cons: 1) really lousy neighborhood. I would only go with a guy, and still walk quickly. 2) chairs were packed together and second row people just stepped over onto the chairs in front to get out. 3) bring water. it get's warm. Knowing what I do now, I would go back - keeping in mind my cons and the Boy Scout motto 'Be Prepared' read more

BIG THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES! Definately shooting out mad props to Bindlestiff Studios. The performances and performers/artists kept me entertained and I give you nothing but respect. I've been deprived from community events like this and the only thing close to shows like this were our own "Filipino Night" (once a year) during those college years. I like it when people can use their imagination and mix it up with culture and spit out an amazing delivery to move and make the crowd happy. So i just want to say ... THANK YOU! read more

Just saw MUMU last night by Susmeryosep and Co. at Bindlestiff. Be prepared to see lot of creative ways to crawl on the ground, and back of the hand slapping. Where to begin.... Let start with the content. I felt the show was 80% improvised, and 20% choreographed. I would have loved to see a 100% choreographed show. I would say about 40% of what was going on was something I could tie a message to metaphorically, the other 60% was just like what......? Next, the organization of the show. There was a point in the show at which there was a split between the audience, one half went one way and one half the other, at which point we (me being in the other group) went to a different part of the show, only to return back to the place where the first group went, without any change whatsoever in the performance. It felt like we kind of just walked in on what was happening downstairs, there was no coordination with when the audience was reunited and what was transpiring in the performance...There was a lot of walking between parts of the show, I guess to keep the audience from falling asleep.... Also the outfits could have been better coordinated, saw one guy wearing all black with a t-shirt, another long sleeve, one girl wearing a striped black shirt, another solid..... again coherence adds to the effect. The cherry on the top of it all was the feeble attempt to start applause at the end by one person - needless to say it was unsuccessful. Final remarks. It was a medium to low budget performance, less than what to expect at $40 a ticket. It seems the cool website and online presence set my expectations too high. The show was genuinely intriguing for the first 15-20 minutes, then petered out from there. I would have preferred to use the money to buy another round with a friend I hadn't seen in 8 months to be honest, but an experience is an experience. read more

I was lucky enough to be in the part of the audience that inaugurated Bindlestiff's first production at their new site. From the google maps, the new site is a block and half from the old site- it's still in the same sketchy neighborhood, but now in a brand spanking new building. As an idea, I really appreciate Bindlestiff because it is haven for new and upcoming artists and has influenced a stronger API community. My friend was given the opportunity to direct one of the plays in the five series "Stories High XII" production through this studio. Although she had copious amounts previous theatre experience, this was her first time as a director and it was very exciting (and inspiring!) to see her talent and ideas on display. The theatre itself can hold about 100 people, and has two seating platforms that face the stage. The stage itself is close to the audience, and pretty intimate- it can get warm down there from all the lighting. Since it is new, everything is super clean and some of the walls still have that fresh paint smell. I would absolutely recommend paying this studio a visit... with some company of course. read more

Check out Love Edition on Feb 24. I'm going to sound like a total snob & suburbanites but I have to say, this place is located in a scary neighborhood. If I'm out with my girlfriends, we will forgo in going to Bindlestiff. I'm glad that Mr was with us that night. Street walkers and gang were roaming the alley....scary The place was tiny, in fact we were seated on the floor and given dirty pillow to sat on. I'm pretty disappointed and won't go back again. read more

In the heart of SOMA lies this gem. For many it's a home away from home for many Fil-am artists who are unheard, given a chance to shine and prove to the world that they are just as good... or better. This is a place where risks can be taken. An outlet of constantly flowing creativity and imagination. A living, breathing space, where in this black box theater, can come to life. All you have to do is be there, and believe. For me, it was the music. I first went to the Stiff to attend Pinoisepop 7 at its original location on 6th St. and it was a life changing experience. Since then my ears have been opened to great sounds, truly underground. Truly independent. Meaningful music that touches the heart and moves you. I've made life long friends here that I consider family. And its not all that. There's history, struggle, strong sense of community, which words, songs, visual arts, and various performances that speak of all this and more. It gives back in leaps i n bounds. If you are truly looking for what it means to be Filipino, look no further. I strongly suggest visiting the space, supporting an event, or even taking part. It's a non-profit organization which truly gives back to the community. Just like the artists, the space is nothing without the volunteers. I look forward to the move back to 6th St. so the 'Stiff can rock once again... Support the 'Stiff! read more

Upon arriving to the venue i had a hard time locating the actual venue. My friends and i embarked through a treacherous journey through a couple of dark alleys and thus arrived at the hidden location. Man, it was so funny cuz we got lost we were totally heading in the wrong direction?!?! I got a chance to see the production: The fountain of youth is a 16oz jar of vaseline.. real dope!!! For Bindlestiff being a Non-profit artistic hub for aspiring filipino americans they really put on a great show. I was told that this is the only and first Filipino american theater in the nation. This is really amazing how this community can put something together like this. The show was very creative and i can wait to see what they will be putting together in the next shows... read more

Attended my first staged version of Cabaret here today. One thing that was lovely, they tell you to bring in your own food & drinks--allow for a 15 minute intermission that permit patrons to support nearby local businesses. The real discovery was experiencing how the cast & directors & support staff staged this well-known work & made it their own. It was not a copy cat production of Joel Grey & Liza Minnelli, but the actors made it uniquely their own. They kept their production simple, but effectively showed the evolution of each character making choices in the face of what we know to be a form of doom. The production was made more powerful by avoiding imitation of the rightly celebrated film. Each actor gave performances that were individual without anyone attempting to steal the show. What the audience got was true collaboration in the telling of a horrific chapter of Western history.--Only wish they had provided programmes, to help those of us who would like to comment about these outstanding actors. I hope to see more productions in the future. And, if it is meant to be, maybe even work in some...BRAVO to all concerned in the making of this fine theatrical work. Understand that they have produced shows such as HAIR in recent years--sorry I am a late arrival in terms of my awareness of this company. read more

Bindlestiff Studio - This is the card I found on 10th Street, in near-perfect condition that lead to my discovery of the Bindlestiff Studio Cabaret! - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

This review won't do Bindlestiff justice as I'm reviewing a place I had been to years ago. I am sure of this - I was there with friends whom I was visiting to see a Filipino comedy group. I had never laughed so hard. I only remember shadow puppets. If any of you know the group I'm referring to - please tell me! The peeps were cool too. Some dude commented on my watch. "Yo, is that a Nixon?" "Yeah man. Good stuff." "I've got one too." "Nice." This was perhaps one of the lamest, GHEYEST reviews evAR. Just trust me that this place is hip, cool and funny. read more

As many of the other reviews have stated this is a theater space where you CAN call home. There is some amazing original work that comes out of this space. All new and old artists colloborate on pieces about community, family and cultural issues. I love Bindlestiff ...if you're looking for some down home grass roots art. Come home to the Stiff! Check out the current show The Love Edition 2 - www.theloveedition.com. Awesome show that is not to be missed! read more

It's small, temporarily located in an alleyway, yet has character and a certain charm. so it's on 6th, between Mission & Market...big deal. i'd rather see a bunch of talented artists performing in a small stage than watching a $10 hollow-wood remake of something that came out 5 years ago in Japan or Hong Kong playing in an overcrowded behemo-plex somewhere in suburbia while getting my chair kicked and musical dial tones emanating from cell phones so thin that they're constantly getting dropped on the floor. the people that work here voluntarily do so and they're really friendly and love what they're doing. read more

I would love to give this theater a glowing review, but I have to be honest. While I enjoyed the show (Boening, Boeing), the theater was hot, stuffy and uncomfortable. Please invest in a few ceiling fans. At one point in the show, one of the actors lit a cigarette, which I was told was oregano. Doesn't matter, the smoke got into my eyes and I had no choice but to breathe it. The only other option was to get up and leave, but that would have been disruptive. On the positive side, patrons are allowed to bring in their own adult beverages and there are no bad seats! read more

The "Tongue In a Mood" show here had me laughing till I cried! I also went to their comedy show one year and had a great time with friends, Filipino and non (to be fair, the non-Flips were basically honorary Filipinos, but you'd've enjoyed the performance no matter what!). I just love it, love that it's here in the Bay Area and cultivating art in a world where, sometimes, I think that's the only thing keeping people sane... Salamat, Bindlestiff! read more

I volunteered and watched "The Strange Case of Citizen de la Cruz" and it was amazing. I had never been to a black box theater and a Filipino play. I absolutely loved it and it reminded me of my old thespian troupe in high school because everyone was friendly and professional. I would say the only flaw about my experience is the location because as soon as my friend and I walked out of that theater, there were 3 men randomly touching my friend and then we saw a woman step over a man and not moving so we called the police. He ended up being on the news and he was dead. read more

http://www.bindlestiffstudio.org/ It is the "Epicenter for Pilipino American Performing Arts", the only one of its kind in the nation. For years, I've enjoyed so many entertaining shows and performances. The talent is incredible. Even if you're not Filipino, it's worth checking out (peep the calendar)! Support the 'Stiff! read more

Yes it's small and yes it's situated in a scary neighborhood - it's not a perfect world out there. But do you have an open mind and big heart to ignore that to allow yourself to be educated and entertained? I guess people don't recognize the fact that the performers, artists and those all involved do this for free - we give our time/dedication/spirit and heart to this place because we are passionate and we have so much love for Bindlestiff and what it stands for. All proceeds go back to the theater to keep folks entertained. We are proud to be the only Filipino - Filipino American theater here! If you were unfortunate enough to not be seated in a chair that just means you were late and that's your fault for assuming that you would be guaranteed a seat. Those who have true love for us - tolerate the scary neighborhood and they get there early to get a seat! read more

The FOB Show "The Return of the Comeback" was great. Most of the shows are in Filipino/Tagalog, but this one is primarily in English. There is some really good talent associated with this troupe. Very good comic timing and real acting talent. Some excellent miming skills. I really enjoyed this show and watching them work together they were really like a well oiled machine. If you get a chance to check them out you should. They moved their space and the new address is 505 Natoma @ 6th. check out www.fobshow.com They do everything aside from ticket sales on donations. Well worth it that is for sure. read more

Makes me kinda sad when I read the reviews from the haters. Complaining about the location or complaining about actual shows! It's all original stuff and the actors, stage managers, tech folks, producers don't get paid to create. It's all for fun, life enrichment, just to have a place to let your creativity flow damn it! Maybe I'm biased because I know that each and everyone of the individuals involved in the 'Stiff work their damn asses off to make these shows happen. I'm so happy that Bindlestiff is in my life, a group full of friends, family, and heroes. Bindlestiff is always looking for new folks to create work, act, help with tech stuff or to just volunteer for shows. Check out the site for more info. I love Bindlestiff! Screw you haters! read more

i'm such a fan of black box theater. bindlestiff is no exception, with its positive cross-cultural performance arts. bindlestiff has become a beacon of inspiration for the bay area API community and continues to revitalize and redefine itself despite high rent/gentrification of the area and other bullisht bureaucracies. not only is its spirit a living, breathing entity, but it's also evidence of some true roots of theater art. i was a fan since high school, back when riot act theater company was runnin sh*t and the puppets ruled the stage! :) since i've moved, i haven't had the chance to keep up with the latest. however, i'm confident that bindlestiff will warm your heart as soon as you open it to them. read more

We were fortunate enough to catch "Death of a Player" during it's final days I have to say, we were not disappointed! Overall awesome show by a great group of talent. The studio is in a less than desirable location but that won't prevent us from attending another show. Great job, folks! read more

you can't fully appreciate Bindlestiff Studio without knowing its history of struggle, "never giving up" as its mantra, and its value to the Filipino American community which also translates to all people of color community. You can now enjoy a newly built theater, oh and the air conditioner works now. Its amazing as a space. But for those of us who know the original space and the Natoma space, home is built by the efforts of the community. As for the plays/music shows/comedy that you will see, it is counter-narrative. read more

Nice. Was here for Filipino music festival. Small theater for intimate performances. It's located on 6th street off Harrison so not the best but no trouble for us while we were there. Just Uber it LOL read more

The show was entertaining but I could not enjoy it because they packed the audience so tight with tiny pub chairs right against one another. Every member of the audience was physically touching shoulder and thighs against one another. Not cool! Not comfortable. Treat your paying guests better because they support you. read more

This is a rave review for the Bindlestiff production of A. Rey Pamatmat's Thunder Above, Deeps Below. Alternately magical and edgy, it tells the story of three street teens - an unwed mother who had to give up her baby, a street hustler who insists he's not gay, and a transgender who dreams of her Arabic prince - who are saving up to leave windy Chicago together for San Francisco and the good and bad decisions they make to accomplish this. Despite the heavy subject matter, there is a lot of humor and lightness in the play. The actors turn in fine performances. It is common for me to drift off now and then during a play if something is off about the writing or performance. That is definitely not the case here; the production held my attention the entire time. Um, this one is definitely not good for kids. Definite R, with some language and adult situations. Bottom line: the play, the director and the actors make risky choices that make for a thrilling night of theatre. See it! Just so you know, 505 Natoma is now Boxcar Theater. Bindlestiff has moved to 185 6th Street at Howard, just to the left of the Subway store. Make sure you go to 185 6th Street to see Thunder Above, Deeps Below. read more

Keeping community theatre alive with a beautiful venue and original pieces. The black box theatre is very intimate and makes for a powerful experience every time. read more