I haven't been to much theater in Austin (except the big productions) because I never know which ones to go to. And i loathe sitting in shows that are bad because I've paid $15 a ticket and feel compelled to wait and see whether it will improve. Luckily, the show I saw here was funny and well done. Part of the Frontera Fest (long fringe) and the whole process was quite efficient. You're on the guest list? Great. Here's a program and a seat. In fact they were nice enough to provide me with a chair so I didnt have to traipse about the chairs on the risers. They've got sodas for sale but it may be BYO (check first) and they've got plenty of bathrooms. All good things to know when you're headed to a performance. If you get the chance to see a show here, do. Its a small theater so there are no bad seats and if you make sure you're not seeing bad theater, well then you're most likely in for a treat. read more

A fucking puppet show? Are you kidding me? That's what I went to see at Salvage Vanguard Theater, and I liked it so much I went back for another show. I'll be back again. Now, I've only seen their puppet shows, I have no idea if they do other things. The puppet shows are different from anything you've seen: excessively dark, and no strings attached. The puppeteers wear dark beekeeper like suits and hold the brightly painted puppets up and manipulate them from behind. You can see everything that's going on, but within a minute or two, you forget the puppeteers are there and the characters take a life of their own. And what characters! It's obviously all-original and all home made, but they do such a good job of creating compelling characters and stories for them to tell that you'll wonder why they aren't more successful. My girlfriend and I still endlessly quote the shows we've seen and we keep trying to describe the characters and stories in a way that makes sense. It seems we utterly fail at that, and it's why I'm going to keep my review short. This place doesn't make sense. The show doesn't make sense out of context. It doesn't look like much from the outside ... or the inside. But trust me. I give it five stars for a reason, and this isn't even ordinarily my scene. I've tried to convince all my friends to go with varying levels of success, but no one has been disappointed and they all want to come back for more. If you've found it, go experience it. read more

Back in October 2009, I saw the cult-classic "Evil Dead - The Musical" at SVT. Just before the show that evening, I had taken a test at UT. It was an annoying test, which took 3 hours to "complete." Anyway, I rushed on my bike to get to the theater before the show started because I really needed something to take my mind off of school work. I had no idea what to expect about anything, that being my first time at SVT. Getting in was easy - tickets were purchased in advance online, not expensive. And even though I was one of the last ones in, my seat had a spectacular view of the stage. As for the show, it was necro-tastic! Funny, interactive, and oh-so-cheesy. Austin has a great performance art community, thanks in part to SVT. I can't wait to see what SVT has planned for Halloween 2010. read more

I've always had a good time at the SVT. For an austin community theatre venue, its pretty large and well finished out. Lots of people can be comfortably accommodated. Heck, theres even a lot of parking. Hosting films, performances or parties here is pretty easy, as they have 2 large and separate rooms for dividing things up, in addition to the lobby. Oh and the bright red paint job on the front of the building rocks. read more

This is an excellent venue for a play or a party. I've frequently this establishment several times; most recently for a viewing of The Red Balloon by Tongue and Groove www.tongueandgroovetheatre.org. The play admission was on a sliding scale from $10-30 and worth all three ten-dollar bills ya'll. but back to the venue... The theater section is perfect. No seat is a bad seat. Everyone is VIP! The acoustics are great. Outside the theater is where you mingle...or check out an art show. The space is very versatile. If you're invited to something here, I advise you go. I'm inviting you to check out The Red Balloon before it ends. Now go! read more

This was a new experience for me. I went to see Dusk, the Twilight improv show. It was FANTASTIC. The cast was great. They were very quick and witty and made the audience laugh throughout the entire show. Before the show, they got the audience to participate by having us pose with cardboard cutouts of Jacob and Edward from the actual movie. The winning pose won two tickets to any GNAP show. My friend ended up winning, but we all had a blast posing with the guys. They serve beer here, always a plus for me. Not too expensive, and a cozy atmosphere in the theater. The only complaint - we sat in the top row, and there is no back wall, so if we had scooted back too far on accident, we would've probably fell backward to the floor and busted our heads open. But we managed to avoid that. I can't wait to see another show here. (I'll be avoiding the back row). read more

My husband took me here for my birthday to see a romantic comedy musical. It was one of the best surprise gifts I've gotten in my life! It was during the week and we had only 6 audiences, which made the whole experience even more special. The ticket was $8 each, and I felt it was worth much more than that. I never knew the theater existed, and now I know we'll go back for another show soon! read more

Great little experience. We went and saw an improv show for an acquaintance and I was pretty impressed. The place is surrounded by delicious eateries and was easy to get to after a great meal. Prices were good for the tickets and refreshments were actually amazingly reasonable too, which is where you think they'd gouge you. Great exercise in self control for them! Cozy little theatre, good sound and lighting and fun experience! I get that this is unfair and I'm on theatre turf, but I'm a jerk and don't particularly like the over the top personalities that try too hard and are so attracted to this sort of thing. While you aren't ever going to avoid that by literally visiting them in their element, this group keeps a decent balance of that. See how I turned an insult into a semi-compliment? It's a fair statement though if you're like me and would normally avoid stuff like this because you're a hater - take the chance, it won't be so bad :) You might even like it read more

With the right mix of affection and tenderness this venue was a great opportunity to watch the shit out of some adult-content puppetry. This was my first show to see there but apparently the variety of content is impressive--they also had 2$ dos equis and $1 waters, which was nice as this was the apex of Sunday Funday for me and a she-friend. There was an awkwardly amazing juggling show for the the opener, accented by an ill-behaving purse-dog doing tricks--which was the tits let me tell ya. Overall, for a $10 ticket, this was money well spent to enjoy some austin-centric art and it wasn't too long to keep my child-like attention span. Do it-- if not for yourself, then for America. read more

I admit I work here occasionally. It's home to some of the experimentalists and avant gardists in Austin. I've seen all sorts of great music concerts here as well as a few that weren't quite as successful. But that would be the nature of a place that's really trying to take some chances. I like the theater seating and it's easy to park! They are trying to get a music series going and it's definatly a venue to check out if you want to find sometimg a little more adventurous. I'm really hoping they can hang on and continue to be a destination for alternative music and theater. read more

Salvage Vanguard Theater - SVT - Performing Arts Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This place has been perfect every time I have visited, which has been at least twenty times. It's super intimate, always shows performances that are a bit off the beaten path and has a low key feel to it overall. Highly recommended for others who like their art in a more 'no nonsense' setting. read more

I have to say, this place has it down. Having both performed and been an audience member, I think Salvage is exactly what it should be...relaxed, efficient, and simplified. They have two performance spaces that are often utilized at the same time. There's nothing lofty or untouchable about the performances here. Enjoy a glass of wine or a beer from the ticket booth as you mingle in the black box style theater before the show. And expect to see familiar faces when you go back for another show! I only wish I knew Mr. Vanguard and how he came to be named "Salvage"... read more

They have two theaters and a gallery. There's great improv comedy in the second stage every weekend and a variety of scripted plays in the main stage. The also have classes, like improv classes and yoga classes and kids camps in the summer. Great central location, lots of parking, clean space, concessions, lots of bathrooms, large performance spaces with good lights and sound. Sometime edgy stuff, sometimes funny, sometimes I don't even know what. Great east austin arts hub. read more

I live it here bc my favorite puppet troupe, Trouble Puppet is here. With that said, the building could use a face lift, the bathrooms could stand to be fixed, and the seats could be replaced. All if that should not take away from the cool performances that go in there though. read more

I attended a play here for the first time last night and the whole thing blew me away. The cast was AMAZING, and hilarious, and engaged! The house was packed and now I know why. Not to mention you can grab a glass of wine before you go in, that definitely helps you get off on the right foot. I would highly recommend going to a show! read more

Amazing theater with great music, plays, and art on the walls. One of a kind. Highly, highly recommended. read more

Great performing place. Really really sad that this place will lose it spot and the performing arts groups have to scramble for new venues. Help them out and stay involved in local arts. read more