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NEWS

September 28, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Archway Studio/Theatre to Open

In Downtown LA Arts District

LOS ANGELES - The thriving Downtown LA Arts District will soon have a new studio and entertainment venue available to residents of the area who have embraced the district’s “Live, Work, Play” concept of downtown living. The Archway Studio/Theatre will offer a full complement of live theatrical performances, and a schedule of classes for students of theatrical arts and yoga practice.

“Our mission is to create and maintain a thriving environment that fosters educational opportunities, artistic growth, creative expression, physical health, spiritual wellbeing, and cultural development through presenting a selection of courses in the various forms and practices of yoga and theatrical arts, while also providing regular performances of theatrical works and special events,” said Steven Sabel, managing artistic director of the new performance studio.

The Archway takes its name from the brick architecture of the building which houses the location. Built in 1906 as the American Hotel, the building on the corner of Hewitt and Traction Streets in the heart of the Downtown Arts District is indicative of the successful mixture of residential loft units and new business ventures that are bringing new life to the area.

“There is so much new life happening here – with new residential units, popular restaurants, and an attractive nightlife – we knew this was where we wanted to be,” Sabel said..

The Archway location is surrounded by popular eating establishments, including Cafe Metropol, K-Town Barbecue, Nola's, Novel Café, The Pie Hole, Wurstkuche, and Zip Fusion. The new performance venue is also just a short distance from Angel City Brewing, Senor Fish, Urth Café, Villains Tavern, and Weiland Brewery.

“People can come to the area, choose a place to have dinner, come see a show, and then go have a drink somewhere after. Everything is in walking distance, including the Metro Station at First and Alameda,” said Sabel.

The new venue will celebrate its grand opening with a private gala Saturday, Oct. 15. The first production in the Archway’s black box theatre will feature an edgy conceptualized production of Shakespeare’s popular “Scottish Play” opening Oct. 27. “Macbeth: Shakespeare’s Natural Born Killers” will be presented in the style of Oliver Stone’s immortal film about serial killers.

“Lord and Lady Macbeth are delusional sociopathic killers with paranoid tendencies who suffer from hallucinations,” Sabel said.

Sabel will set the play in Dusinane Mental Asylum, where mental patients become victims, doctors become devils, and orderlies become witches as a commentary on the darkest recesses of the mind, the duality of man, and mental health, he said.

The production will run Thursday through Sundays, Oct. 27 through Nov. 27.

The Archway Studio/Theatre will begin presenting a regular schedule of classes in Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, and fusion yoga styles Nov. 1. Studio Manager Annie Freeman will conduct many of the classes, which will be offered at both beginning and advanced levels.

“People embrace yoga for many different reasons – exercise, physical health, mental focus, spiritual wellbeing. We have created a space that is conducive to all of these,” said Freeman.

Freeman will also combine both the yogic and theatrical aspects of the Archway Studio/Theatre by offering a Yoga For Actors class, while Sabel will be offering various classes in Acting For The Stage.

“All are welcome to our place of endless creation,” Sabel said.

For additional class schedule and performance season information visit: www/archwayla.com or call (213)237-9933.

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