what people say

The Z Space has received many kind words from arts supporters, practitioners, and reviews. We are very appreciative of the praise, and continually strive to live up to the generosity of our fans.

"New play development is a tricky business -- as costly, inefficient and vital as research and development labs are to corporations. The bottom line eats away at risk-taking in the cautious regional theaters, dwindling mid-sized houses and struggling smaller groups... No one has thought longer or worked harder on the development process than David Dower, artistic director of The Z Space Studio."
-- Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle

"...the guiding light of progressive theater and music in the Bay Area."
-- San Francisco Magazine

“Word for Word is a marvel. While respecting the author's every word, the company also manages to create something completely new, going well beyond the page into an art that has no words. I was completely bowled over by the acting, the stage, the costumes, the choreography -- the sheer power of the experience of watching words come to life.”
- Amy Tan

"Creating this new work in an environment of professional and fiscal support has been invaluable to my creative process and is helping in many ways to facilitate the making of this new work."
--Stephen Pelton, Choreographer and founder of Stephen Pelton Dance Theatre

“I wish that Word for Word would do all my stories. Their brilliant inventiveness in performance, choreography, and staging has created a new art form, and a deeply affecting experience.”
-- Tobias Wolff, author

"They offer a rare opportunity for true artistic diversity as well as serving as a research and development 'laboratory' for new works. We urge you to generously support their efforts to continue with their singular and very important mission."
-- John Killacky, Executive Director, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

"At the Z Space I was constantly aware of those who had preceded me, those whose work was going on simultaneously, and those works that would follow. It was a rare experience of being part of a community of artists...an inherent gift of the environment."
-- Joe Landon, playwright and composer

"The box office numbers of Studio efforts at the Magic quantify the Studio's artistic presence in a measurable way. But there is no way to adequately measure the value of the Studio's ongoing support and openness to all parts of the artistic community...We are fortunate indeed that the Z Studio continues to provide that support."
-- Mame Hunt, former Artistic Director of the Magic Theatre

“I am so in love with Word for Word and what they do. I come from a community who generally does not read. After my American Indian community had seen Slaughterhouse, they were inspired to read.”
– Greg Sarris

"The support we received from Z Space Studio was invaluable to the success of the workshop...they are professional, supportive, and committed to creating a space for artists and the arts to thrive."
-- Thomas Simpson, solo performer and founder of AfroSolo Theatre Company

"The success of Creative Capital's efforts to develop new works and new voices is directly dependent upon the existence of a strong infrastructure for mentoring the projects of artists and companies we fund. The Z Space Studio is a critical part of that infrastructure for emerging artists in the Bay Area."
-- Ruby Lerner, Creative Capital Fund

"To have time to develop a work -- to really look at it -- is extremely rare. To be able to do so in an environment such as the Z Space, where you have space to work, a staff that supports you, fellow artists to encourage you and strong artistic leadership is truly a treasure."
-- Scott Stohler, Bay Package Productions