Overview

The Voxel is a privately owned black box theater in the heart of Baltimore City. It comprises a 2,200 square foot black box stage, a 1,900 square foot lobby, and 3,000 square feet of production and support spaces.

By day, The Voxel is the teaching center and research laboratory of Figure 53, a small but mighty Baltimore-based company whose software runs live performances in over 100 countries around the world.

By night, The Voxel is a theater, incubator, and resource for performing artists in Baltimore and across the country.

History

The theater was built in 1946 and was a popular destination for moviegoers through the late 1980s. It fell into disrepair and went through numerous owners until we purchased it in 2015. We performed a ground-up renovation and reopened the theater in 2020 as a black box theater designed for live performance.

Staff

• Tessara Morgan Farley, Director of Production - [email protected]
• Alec Sparks, Technical Director - [email protected]
• Christopher Ashworth, Owner - [email protected]

The Big Rules

• No fire! This includes candles.
• Fire exits, alarms, and extinguishers must be kept clear at all times. We will check and move objects that obstruct them.
• Do not block any doors in the building (including bathrooms, the electrical closet, and the sprinkler room).
• Do not drive the scissor lift on the ramp. The ramp is not designed to hold the lift.
• Do not tape, nail, screw, or attach anything to any wall without consulting The Voxel staff first.
• Do not tape on the lobby floor or doors without talking to The Voxel staff first.
• Do not paint any concrete floor.
• Do not park in our neighbor’s parking spots.
• Do not drink alcohol and operate machinery or equipment.
• Clean up all food waste throughout the theater.
• Communicate with The Voxel staff.

Safety

Building Capacity

The Voxel has a strict maximum capacity of 300 people, including performers and crew.

The capacity of the main stage depends on your design and seating layout. A classic theatrical proscenium configuration might have 60 to 70 seats, while an arrangement in the round might comfortably seat 100.

Our stage floor projection system can show you how different seating layouts will feel on the stage. Just ask Alec the Technical Director to show you!

First Aid

A large first aid kit is stored in the Green Room microwave cabinet. If an accident happens please fill out the online incident report, accessible via a QR code in the Green Room. The Voxel needs you to fill out this report so we can track any incidents that happen during your residency.

Fire Exits

The Voxel has four emergency exits - the front doors, two backstage, and one in the Green Room. If stage curtains block visibility to exit signs, we will provide additional signs.

Fire Alarm System

The fire alarm system is activated by smoke detectors in our ventilation system in addition to pull stations throughout the building. If you use any amount of smoke or fog in your show, a member of your team must be trained by The Voxel on how to temporarily disable the smoke detectors.

If the alarm is activated, emergency lighting will turn on throughout the building. Additionally, a voice evacuation procedure is triggered through the alarm speakers.

Fire and pyrotechnics are not allowed.

General Evacuation Procedures

• Stay calm, do not rush, and do not panic.
• Safely stop your work.
• Gather your personal belongings if it is safe to do so.
• Proceed to the designated Emergency Assembly Area (Across Morton Street alley on 25th Street) via the nearest exit.
• Be attentive to any instructions from emergency responders.
• Do not re-enter the building or work area until you have been instructed to do so by the emergency responders.

Access

Security

The Voxel is equipped with an RFID tag security and entry system. Generally speaking, and subject to the terms of our official agreement with guest artists, you may access the venue at any time of the day or night during your time here. You are responsible for unlocking the required doors upon arrival, securing the building while occupied, and securing the building upon exit. Securing the building includes ensuring all doors or access points are fully closed and all door locks or latches are engaged.

If you forget your fob, The Voxel staff can remotely open the venue for you. There is a $10 per fob replacement fee in the event a fob is lost or not returned.

Accessibility

The Voxel is ADA compliant, offering a ramp to the lower stage level. You can access all public areas of the theater without using stairs. We also offer accessible bathrooms, including a private single-stall family restroom with a changing station.

The private mezzanine level is not accessible except by stairs.

Parking

There is LIMITED parking for 8 vehicles in marked spaces near the stage door. PLEASE DO NOT PARK behind any other building in the alley; all other parking areas along the alley are reserved for the people who rent and own those homes and businesses.

There is also ample street parking near the theater.

• Parking on Maryland Avenue and 24th Street is FREE
  • (Please observe posted times for street cleaning.)
• Parking on 25th Street and Charles Street is METERED
  • Monday - Saturday: 8am - 6pm, 50¢ / hour
  • Sunday: FREE

Please be a good neighbor while you are here, and respect other people’s parking spaces.

Ticketing

We do ticketing in-house through a wonderful company called Ludus. You will receive 100% of the ticket sales and can expect payment once per week via PayPal or paper check.

Heating and Cooling

Our Director of Production will schedule the HVAC system and Green Room thermostats to turn on when you are in the building based on the schedule you submitted.

You are welcome to adjust the temperature of the Green Room thermostats while you are in residence.

Cleaning

Please clean up after yourself while you are here. Feel free to use any of the cleaning products found in the Janitorial Closet in the Family Restroom.

Internet

Everyone is welcome to the WiFi in the building. The network is “The Voxel” and there is no password.

The Voxel Internet connection is available via wireless and wired access. We have hardwired ethernet ports throughout the building (including at grid level), which each run to a central patch bay.

The internet connection speed for The Voxel is 1000Mbps download and 300Mbps upload. These speeds are as advertised by Comcast ISP and actual speeds may vary.

Strike

At the conclusion of your residency, we require that you leave the space as you found it. That means removing the scenery and taking down all of the equipment you used. Alec will be around during strike to make sure you don’t leave anything behind.

Getting Help

Finally, if you still have questions, please email [email protected] for help!