Rude Mechanicals, The (2018)

On April 30, 2018, the five Co-Producing Artistic Directors (Co-PADs) of the performing arts collective Rude Mechanicals assembled local artists, friends, and colleagues on the site of their former home at 21200 Hidalgo Street in Austin, Texas. Entitled the “Lost Austin Vigil,” those gathered mourned the city’s recent and rapid shuttering of local artist galleries, theaters, and music venues. In 2017, the company lost their lease on the Off Center, their rehearsal and performance venue of 17 years. The building was bulldozed after the company refused to pay a 406% rent increase. Providing highly subsidized rehearsal and performance space to roughly 120 artists and 16,000 patrons per year, the Rudes and their venue were a staple in the creative community. The Rudes recognized that the loss of their multi-use complex left not only themselves but the Austin artistic community in need of new affordable places to both present and develop work. The Rudes were able to quickly find a new home