© 2024 KALW 91.7 FM Bay Area
KALW Public Media / 91.7 FM Bay Area
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Crosscurrents

After 13 years of rowdy theater, the Thrillpeddlers close their doors

David Wilson

 

The avant-garde theater troupe Thrillpeddlers has been shocking, titillating, and yes, thrilling audiences in the San Francisco theater the Hypnodrome since 2004.

They specialize in reviving audacious theatrical styles like Grand Guignol, a turn-of-the-century French blend of horror and sex farce, and Andy Warhol-era Theater of the Ridiculous. But now, 13 years later, their building is being sold; Thrillpeddlers must vacate the premises by the end of the month. Founder and director Russell Blackwood reflects on the group’s time at the Hypnodrome and shares what’s next with KALW’s Jen Chien.

BLACKWOOD: San Francisco, I think, has always been a boom town and to think that it's going to stay in the spirit of the gold rush or the spirit of the peace movement of the 60's or gay liberation or tech, to think that that's gonna' that last forever is wrong headed. It's not the spirit of the area. It's changeable and we need to be at peace with that and to do what we can, to keep our voices, as freaks, strong.

To listen to the interview click the audio player above.

 

Crosscurrents
Jen Chien was the managing editor for Crosscurrents and KALW News from 2016 to 2018. She has been a contributor to All Things Considered, Radio Netherlands Worldwide, BBC/PRI’s The World, Making Contact, SF Public Press, East Bay Express, New America Media, and KPFA in Berkeley, where she took part in the First Voice Apprenticeship Program. She is the recipient of the 2013 Outstanding Emerging Journalist Award from the Society of Professional Journalists of Northern California. She holds a BA in American Studies from Smith College, and an MA in Interdisciplinary Performance from New College of California. Before entering the field of journalism, she had a successful career as a professional dance and theater artist, teacher, and massage therapist.