New Yorkers turn to St. Ann’s Warehouse for art and community during COVID-19.

By James Lee

St. Ann’s Warehouse, a theater located at 45 Water St. in DUMBO, Brooklyn, has helped many New Yorkers cope with the pandemic and find light as they persist through such dark times. They do so through many forms of art such as concerts, plays, musicals and more.

In such challenging circumstances, the role of St. Ann’s Warehouse is important to New Yorkers because “art helps us make sense of the world, through the good times and the bad. Through the darkest days, we as humans will cling to the necessities of food, shelter and art,” Chip Rodgers, the production manager of St. Ann's Warehouse, wrote in an e-mail. St. Ann’s Warehouse has built a community throughout its 41-year history and has been a home for many New Yorkers.

The first performances it hosted during the pandemic, such as Simon McBurney's “The Encounter,” were online in March 2020. Many later performances were hosted outdoors at St. Ann’s Warehouse, including a concert called “Black Summer.”

The pandemic forced many New Yorkers to adjust their way of life, and that was also true for the historic theater.

“When we couldn't invite audiences into our home, we had to bring our art to the outside of the building. I think we've done exactly that,” Rodgers said.

“Black Summer” on June 24, 2021 was a free concert that highlighted the connection between music and artwork. For the performers, the lack of an entry fee was appealing, as it allowed them to reach a greater number of fans and find an audience that might not have been exposed to their music otherwise.

Riki Stevens, a singer and performer in “Black Summer,” saw people of a variety of ages, from grandmothers to energetic kids, stop and dance. Many of these people, including myself, may not have attended the concert if there was an entry fee.

“I love (free concerts) because unlike a club where people had to buy tickets beforehand to come inside, it provides the opportunity to draw a bunch of new fans of all ages who might not frequently go to concerts,” JSWISS, a singer in the concert, wrote in an e-mail.

Outdoor performances showcased at St. Ann’s Warehouse include a beautiful background and stage. Photo by James Lee

The location of the concert made the experience even more special for those who attended. The artwork on the walls of St. Ann's Warehouse surrounded the concert venue. Performers also enjoyed the natural beauty of the outdoor area.

“Being right beside and almost underneath the (Brooklyn) Bridge on a beautiful night, with a quality stage they put together, it looked as beautiful as it sounded,” JSWISS said.

St. Ann’s Warehouse moved to DUMBO, Brooklyn 20 years ago, although it started hosting performances in its current location in 2015. St. Ann’s Warehouse is a place that many New Yorkers have turned to in hard times, such as after 9/11 and after Hurricane Sandy.

St. Ann's Warehouse under construction around 2014 at its current location. Photo courtesy Chip Rodgers

The warehouse, which occupies the space of what was the Tobacco Warehouse in 1860, has created a community for many people in New York by hosting performances in a theater that offers great flexibility for performers and also space for dinners, community meetings and more.

“We provide a home for international and NYC-based musicians, puppeteers and theater artists — inviting existing work to New York City for the first time and producing and fostering new work within our walls,” Rodgers said.

While many of the performances in St. Ann’s Warehouse provide an uplifting feeling, others leave the audience with more conflicted emotions, such as the musical “Oklahoma!” These performances are also important and more “about experiencing and accepting that darkness exists, and that we persist and thrive in the face of it,” Rodgers said.

For example, when asked about the message of her songs performed at the “Black Summer” concert, Stevens said she wanted the audience “to feel enjoyment, feel joy, feel good.”

During the pandemic St. Ann’s Warehouse maintains a sense of community for New Yorkers. Photo by James Lee — During the pandemic St. Ann’s Warehouse maintains a sense of community for New Yorkers. Photo by James Lee

Because of its history, it’s no surprise that St. Ann’s Warehouse has entertained so many people during the pandemic and will continue to do so with many indoor concerts such as “Only an Octave Apart,” with Justin Vivian Bond and Anthony Roth Costanzo, which is planned to take place in late September. Rodgers hopes to offer more free concerts as well.

“Free concerts and access to free public art is what makes New York City great,” Rodgers said.