A.C.T.’s Strand Theater
The Verdict
"ACT's smaller second stage on Market Street for new and adventurous work. 280 seats in a restored 1917 movie theater. Tickets start at $25. Near Civic Center BART. More experimental than the main Geary Street theater."
What you need to know
The Strand was built in 1917 as a movie theater. ACT took it over in 2015 and turned it into their second stage after a full renovation. It sits on Market Street in the Mid-Market area, about a mile west of ACT’s main theater on Geary. The room seats around 280.
What to Expect
This is where ACT puts its more adventurous programming: world premieres, adaptations, solo shows, and work that might not fill the 1,000 seat Toni Rembe but deserves a professional production. The staging is flexible and reconfigures for different shows. Some productions use the full proscenium. Others put the audience on three sides.
The quality is the same as the main stage (same company, same production resources) in a more intimate setting. If you’re choosing between ACT’s two theaters and don’t have a strong preference for the specific show, the Strand usually offers the more interesting evening.
Visiting
1127 Market Street, Mid-Market. Shows typically run Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets range from $25 to $90. Under 35 and rush ticket programs are available. The lobby bar is small but functional.
The Mid-Market block has improved significantly but can still feel quiet after dark. Hayes Valley is a 10 minute walk west for better pre-show dining. Zuni Cafe, if you can get a reservation, is a 5 minute walk.
Getting There
Civic Center BART and Muni Metro is about four blocks west. Powell BART is about five blocks east. The F Market streetcar and multiple Muni bus lines run along Market Street. The 5th and Mission garage is the closest parking.
Skip this if you want a grand theater experience. The Strand is intentionally scrappier. The trade off is you’re closer to the work.
📍 Location: This activity is in The Tenderloin. Explore the neighborhood →
