On the stage at Bindlestiff Studio, 22-year-old SF State Senior Christina Ying sheds her shy demeanor and transforms into a complex character—a playful child, a graceful dancer and an abstract image of self-hate and acceptance. More importantly, she is at home.

“I feel that at this point in my life, it’s my purpose to be there,” said Ying, an Asian American studies senior.

Ying, along with many others, is participating in an effort to save Bindlestiff Studio, the first and only Filipino American performing arts theater in the United States.

Since 2000, Bindlestiff and a community based nonprofit organization, Tenants and Owners Development Corporation, have been struggling with the city’s Redevelopment Commission over the building on 185 6th St. The development corporation has proposed 115 units of affordable housing be built above the original Bindlestiff Studio location, as well as a new theater for Bindlestiff if they raise enough money to secure the spot.

Bindlestiff needs to raise $800,000, of which $421,000 is due by October 2005, or else it might not be able to open its doors to the public in January 2006 as planned.

With the help of Supervisor Chris Daly and capital campaign consultant Mary Schmidt, Bindlestiff Studio and its supporters plan to launch a fundraising crusade called, “Sinang Sinig,” on Oct. 14, 2004. The goal of Sinang Sinig, which means “Dawn of the Arts,” is to attract a larger audience and bigger companies in hopes of receiving more support and donations.

In the meantime, Bindlestiff Studio is concentrating on the current fundraiser, “Eight and A Half Stories High,” where Ying is a production leader and performer. The theatrical show is the culmination of a three-month long writing, acting, directing, and producing workshop. At these workshops, participants are able to express their feelings and voice their opinions—all free of charge.

“The people there give you strength,” said Ying. “At Bindlestiff anything’s possible.”

The show gave 19-year-old Lyle Prijoles the chance to explore a part of him that he never thought existed.

“I never thought I could act,” said Prijoles, a sophomore majoring in Asian American studies and journalism. “But Bindlestiff gave me the opportunity to try it out.”

Not only did Prijoles act in the show, he wrote and directed as well; dubbing himself a “triple threat.” Introduced to Bindlestiff by his older sister, Prijoles has been attending shows there since he was 13, at first as an audience member, then a volunteer and now a full-fledged artist.

Established in 1988 by Chrystene Ells before she handed it over to its current owner Alan Manalo in 1997, Bindlestiff Studio emphasizes unity through artistic expression. At Bindlestiff, it’s not uncommon to find performers mopping the floors or cleaning the bathroom.

“You have to check your ego at the door,” said Ying. “Divas are not allowed.”
Bindlestiff gets its support from people who are compassionate about theater arts and care about preserving a nurturing space used to cultivate new ideas, said both Ying and Prijoles.

“There’s just so much love that goes into Bindlestiff, no explanation of mine could do it justice,” said Prijoles. “You wouldn’t understand unless you came to a show yourself.”

Eight and A Half Stories High is showing Thursday through Saturday at Bindlestiff Alley, the temporary location on 505 Natoma St. For more information on show times and dates, or about how to help save Bindlestiff Studio, visit the website at www.BindlestiffStudio.org or call (415) 974-1167.