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Progress Lab 1422 is a joint production and administration centre at 1422 William Street. Boca del Lupo calls it home along with Neworld Theatre, The Electric Company Theatre and Rumble Productions. Boca del Lupo is responsible for capital improvements and the financial management of the space. As part of this role Boca del Lupo, led by Jay Dodge, has designed and managed all three phases of renovations. The first phase focused on structural changes to the building including an addition of approximately 2000 sf, seismic upgrades, and the installation of the multipurpose sprung studio floor. The second phase included working with Great Northern Way Scene Shop to create storage, erect a grid of both truss and pipe and begin the acquisition of specialized equipment including significant inkind donations of sound and lighting gear procured by technology director, Carey Dodge. With the third phase, we now have additional specialized equipment and the creation of permanent booth area, a Marley dance floor and functional shop area including various health and safety upgrades. These latest additions put Progress Lab 1422 firmly on the map as one of the best rehearsal/creation spaces in Canada. The facility’s impact on the community is already immense as evidenced by productions like the Electric Company’s “Tear the Curtain,” Neworld/Leaky Heaven’s “Peter Panties,” Rumble/Pi’s “After the Quake,” Touchstone/November’s “Hardcore Logo Live,” and Boca del Lupo’s own “PHOTOG.” and “La Marea.” It is undeniable that this state of the art, dedicated facility has increased the community’s artistic capacity along with the many other significant albeit less tangible benefits that come from casual daily connections fostered in this distinctive shared environment.

The Anderson Street Space is Boca del Lupo’s initiative to create Canada’s premiere setting for intimate performance. So far we’ve presented two performance series: Micro Theatre Series in September, 2010 and Experiments in Intimate Performance in January, 2011. Rachel Peake administrated and co-curated the space with Sherry J. Yoon. There were two phases of renovations that happened over 2010. First we installed a sprung floor, pipe grid, black drape, painting, seating, as well as upgrading the shared kitchen in the 1405 Anderson Street building. Thanks to a contribution from Canadian Heritage, the second phase focussed on the purchase of specialized equipment. The Anderson Street Space is now fully equipped with some of the latest performance technology. The space is leased through the Granville Island CMHC in a building shared with Axis Theatre and the GVPTA who make regular use of the space. Other community initiatives that have sprung for this small but well placed room are “Theatre Babies,” a network of parents united by common issues that arise from working in performing arts and “Design Incubation,” a nascent residency program for designers who need space to test new ideas and technology without the pressures of production. 2012 ushers in a new series of works beginning with a co-presentation with PuSh and the Vancouver Art Gallery of Guided Tour.

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