In 2008, ISSUE was awarded a long-term lease on a theater space in the historic 110 Livingston Street building in Downtown Brooklyn. Offering a centralized location and an audience capacity more than double that of any previous space ISSUE had occupied, the theater helped facilitate a degree of publicity and awareness unique for our community of under-recognized artists.

At the close of 2021, ISSUE assumed ownership of this theater space by generous donation from Two Trees Management—a pivotal milestone for our organization. With the legal transfer of the deed, ISSUE is delighted to realize Founder Suzanne Fiol's vision of a permanent home for experimental performance in Downtown Brooklyn.

With the support and advocacy of City Council Member, Stephen Levin (whose Council term concluded in 2021) plus Brooklyn Borough President—now NYC Mayor—The Honorable Eric Adams, the donation will assist in advancing the City-managed renovation of the theater.

History

Originally built in 1926 as the headquarters for the Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks, the theater features a limestone and terra cotta facade, with Renaissance-revival style features including balustrades, egg-and- dart ornamentation, Corinthian columns, and 40-foot vaulted ceilings. This McKim, Mead & White designed 5,000 square foot theater space provides unique acoustics.

Renovation

ISSUE recently advanced the long-awaited renovation of the theater. Working with NYC’s Department of Design and Construction, architect WORKac and acoustician ARUP, a first phase of the theater’s renovation was completed in 2015, with a second and final phase beginning during 2020.

The project has received $9m of capital allocations from the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President and the New York City Council (former Council Member Stephen T. Levin) and is managed by NYC’s Department of Design & Construction.

This funding, in addition to the transfer of the deed by Two Trees Management, ensures that ISSUE will have a long-term home available to support our experimental arts community.

The renovation will enhance ISSUE's facilities and offer increased capabilities for avant-garde music and performance. Once completed, the highly flexible space will feature upgraded acoustic and theater systems, including a green room/recording studio, a lobby with a box office and concessions, new MEP and HVAC, plus space for ISSUE’s administrative offices. 

During the renovation, ISSUE continues to support artists in a wide range of locations, bringing commissions, premieres, and rare performances to new contexts and spaces.

The project was granted an Award for Excellence in Design from the Public Design Commission of the City of New York in 2015.