Mission Statement

Boxcar Theatre is dedicated to supporting bold concepts and unique visions of emerging and established directors. Utilizing dynamic imagery, physical movement, and innovative storytelling, Boxcar strives to establish an environment in which audiences are engaged in a visceral sense and an intellectual capacity.

 

By offering affordable prices to non-traditional and traditional theatergoers, we aim to expand the theatre community and include a variety of artists across multiple disciplines.

 

We are devoted to the establishment of a permanent company of artists who work and train together in an ensemble setting. Through this cooperative guiding principle, the most intimate and personal work will flourish.


Artistic Directors Peter Matthews and Nick A. Olivero
Photo credit: Peter Liu

 

What’s in a Name

The origin of the Boxcar Theatre name has garnered many questions over the years. While unsuccessfully trying to settle on a name for the company, Nick and Peter deviated from topic trying to recall a drink they had a few months earlier at the Huntington Hotel in Nob Hill. Peter identified the drink as the Sidecar, which opened the door for new potential company names. Not wanting to name their company after an alcoholic beverage, the following thirty meandering minutes resulted in the two choosing Boxcar for its scrappy and nomadic origins. Boxcar, as it would turn out, is also the name of an alcoholic beverage.

Artistic Directors Peter Matthews and Nick A. Olivero
Photo credit: Peter Liu

 

History of Boxcar

In 2003, Nick A. Olivero left Chicago feeling the city was super-saturated with theatre companies. Looking for an arts-centric environment with potential for growth, San Francisco became the clear choice. In summer of 2004, he met and performed alongside Peter Matthews. By the end of that year, after performing in a second show together, the two formed a prosperous working relationship.

 

Boxcar Theatre was founded in January of 2005 and soon began production on its first ensemble generated show, 21/One: Twenty-One Shows in One Hour. Having played to sold-out houses at the San Francisco Fringe Festival their inaugural production was named “Best of the Fringe” and Boxcar Theatre awarded “Best New Company.” Boxcar quickly followed up its success with its first three-play season. The company became known for its unusual performance locations: a beach, bus, office building, furniture store, living rooms, and museums across the Bay Area. In 2007, the company took over a 49-seat black box theatre, which is now known as the Boxcar Playhouse. Despite its grounded roots in SoMA, the company continues to produce site-specific performances.

Ensemble

Nick A. Olivero

Ensemble Member since: 2005
Productions with Boxcar: 20 Full List

 

 

Amy Knight
 

Ensemble Member since: 2009
Productions with Boxcar: 4 Full List

 

 

Claire Zawa

Ensemble Member since: 2009
Productions with Boxcar: 4 Full List

 

 

Peter Matthews

Ensemble Member since: 2005
Productions with Boxcar: 15 Full List

 

 

Michelle E. Ianiro
 

Ensemble Member since: 2009
Productions with Boxcar: 4 Full List

 

 

Donald Currie

Ensemble Member since: 2009
Productions with Boxcar: 4 Full List

 

 

Michael Moerman

Ensemble Member since: 2009
Productions with Boxcar: 5 Full List

 

 

Stephanie Renee Maysonave

Ensemble Member since: 2008
Productions with Boxcar: 6 Full List

 

 

Sarah Savage

Ensemble Member since: 2005
Productions with Boxcar: 12 Full List

 

 

Erin Gilley
 


Productions with Boxcar: 2 Full List