Aurora Theatre Company - Berkeley, California

Chris N.

This is like your best friends house - casual, friendly and always entertaining. The intimacy provides a much different, and in some ways better, experience than going into the City or even Broadway. If you are any type of patron of the arts, this is a must go. Also - loved Dry Powder.

Madelyn C.

I went to see The Lifespan of a Fact 3 days after seeing Morher Road at the Berkeley Rep… right next door. Mother Road was like Theatre 2.0 while the Aurora Theatre performance was like Theatre 3.0…
theatre elevated!

Everything you want non-musical live theatre to be (btw Mother Road had a smattering of non memorable music)

But the contrast of the experience made it clear why I left Mother Road at intermission…. And was (in contrast) on the edge of my seat the entire “Lifespan of a Fact” performance

Despite the fact that often the audience is 3 feet from the actors on “stage” at the Aurora …the performances felt real …like you were a fly on the wall …and this was really happening

And like real life…the conflicts don’t get all buttoned up…there is no formula. There are life-like dilemmas with no clear answer… even from the final lines in the final scene

Will I go to a Berkeley rep show again? … prob…
to see a musical…
because there’s a time and place for a feel-good, predictable, formulaic show that teaches a clear inspirational lesson.

But if you want theatre that perks you up and offers a reframing of a society you THINK you understood… stick to the Aurora theatre…and by all means see The Lifespan of a Fact.
Directing, lighting, acting, overall cleverness, realism of script
…and humor under stress!

A+++

Richard E.

What a treat it was to attend the Aurora Theater company's production of Hurricane Diane this past weekend the intimacy of the space is its strength with four rows of seats in a semicircle thrust pattern around the playing area the audience is never more than 10 or 12 feet from what's going on on stage. The production values of the theater company are first class scenery lighting costuming it's a little Jam in downtown Berkeley right next to Berkeley Rep on Addison making a little theater row for those of us in the East Bay the road theater company has got a number of discount pricings for their tickets depending on the group you may fit into students seniors teachers returning ticket holders friends of ticket holders you name it so if you plan to go which I highly encourage check out their website or talk to someone who has a ticket in that case $10 off but go help keep Live Theater thriving as it is in downtown Berkeley

Rohini K.

Incredible theater - the intimacy of the space made tonight's performance of The Blue Door unforgettable. Let's make sure this theater survives and thrives

Lu L.

Just saw Born with Teeth and it was SUCH a treat—incredibly written play, superbly acted. The Aurora is a lovely, intimate venue without a bad seat in the house.

Viviana W.

Terrific small theater. Consistently good to excellent performances (including the current Master Harold and the Boys by Fugard). With a thrust stage and always careful blocking, hardly a bad seat in the house (although the seats at our near the bottom of the "U" are the best).

catherine S.

We have been subscribers since 2011 and have never seen a bad play here..all plays have been topical, creatively staged, and well performed. innovative and thought provoking. Consistently the Best theatre experience possible. Go to the Aurora Theatre.

Beatrice P.

Went to see a classmate perform and the show was AWESOME. The Theater is very close and personal. There is NO bad seat anywhere in this place. The stage is dead Center you will love it. We will be back.