History & Mission
Buckham Alley Theatre’s Origin Story
Buckham Alley Theatre opened its doors in 1983 as the Agree Reality Theatre. It was located on the third floor of the Fisher Wallpaper & Paint building on the corner of Third & Harrison.
Birthed by psychologist Saide Agree Schrieber, the troupe of players improvised in what was then known as Psycho-Drama. In 1987 the company moved to 512 Buckham Alley, the Beach & Stull Printing Warehouse, and under the direction of Jonathan Round changed its name to Buckham Alley Theatre.
After extensive renovations, the playhouse was opened to the public, with Chris Coddington providing the directing style. The theatre not only produced its own shows, but also provided a venue for outside groups. After some financial difficulties, the theatre struggled to produce shows on its own and for a short time completely closed its doors.
With some reorganizing, the theatre acquired some funds, reopened its doors and pressed on. While still primarily a host facility, the theatre continued to survive; the Back Alley Players Comedy Improv Troupe (the old Psycho-Drama people) persisted as BAT’s sole offering in its own name.
Then in 1990, BAT was able to start producing its own shows outside of improvisational theatre. Continuing seasons brought many outside productions and class offerings to 512 Buckham Alley as well as a variety of BAT-produced shows. The Back Alley Players’ Improv Troupe continued to offer regular improv classes and performances sandwiched between more traditional theatrical offerings until 2008.
In 2012, many of the original board members left; among the new board members, Amber Dillard was elected Board President. While still homeless, the theatre was able to put on two shows that season with Amber directing both.
A skeleton of previous boards, this one operated with Amber Dillard, Dennis Sykes, and Crystal Dillard paying dues and producing shows until 2015. Former President and then-Treasurer Sykes kept the bank accounts active and maintained the theatre’s 501(c)3 status. The demands of carrying the theatre became too much. The trio began actively recruiting another round of new board members.
The landlord saw an opportunity to sell the building. After many years in its own building, BAT was suddenly homeless. This is when GFAC became our saving grace and our new home.
Our Mission
The purpose of Buckham Alley Theatre is to provide Flint/Genesee County with a home for modern and experimental performance art drama to promote a “dialogue” between Flint artists working in these various disciplines and to offer opportunities to these diverse artists for interdisciplinary collaboration; to make available the expertise of Flint artists and performers to the public by conducting classes in related subjects.
