The Outside In Theatre has finished building its new space, where, according to their website, they hope to create an evolving force in equitable and transformative storytelling. Outside In Theatre began working out of a one-room art box next door to the two-year construction of their current site. According to their mission statement, Outside In Theatre creates brave spaces for people to foster creativity and build community partnerships.
According to co-founders Daniel Blinkoff and Tamlyn Tomita, the importance of theater in the modern era is as a tool for change and bringing together a community of people. Blinkoff said he encourages everyone to experience art.
“Art is percolating in people all the time,” Blinkoff said. “I think art is called for so much right now.”
According to Blinkoff, the necessity of art and community space is vital in the modern world. Blinkoff said inspiration for their space comes from a Ronald Harwood playbill, which references turning one individual world upside down.
“I used to treasure that art came out of the middle of nowhere,” Blinkoff said. “I think now it is the time to invest in what it is that you individually believe in.”
Binkoff said he was moved by his experience in Outside In Theatre’s Asian American improv class, taught by Keiko Agena.
“It was humbling in its bravery, and I was just a witness to it, and I think that is one of the things that we stumble upon just by engaging in conversation with the neighborhood,” Blinkoff said.
Tomita said she recognizes the strength it takes to join a community like Outside In Theatre.
“It is brave space because we cannot guarantee a safe space,” Tomita said. “But we can guarantee you a place where you can feel brave enough to say all the things or see all the things or to sound off on all the things because I’m big enough to say, ‘Oh, what do you want to do?’”
According to co-art director Jessica Hanna, Outside In Theatre is forming a web of people through this new space. Hanna said that before the building was finished, Outside In Theatre would invite the community to talk to them in person.
“We would keep a door open, and we’d be here with a table and maybe some coffee,” Hanna said. “If anybody walked by, we’d be like, ‘Hello, what’s going on?'”
Outside In Theatre has worked with students from Occidental College. According to Jiahui Ji ’25, she started working with Outside In Theatre after interning during their creation. Ji said she worked with Outside In Theatre through Occidental’s Edgerton Fellowship, which funds students to attend summer internships with professional theatre companies. According to Ji, her experience with Outside In Theatre gave her a home away from her home across the world.
“Being able to be here, it’s the best way I can do this,” Ji said, “And in any sort of way to celebrate. Joy to celebrate. Community to celebrate togetherness.”
Contact Cole Banks at cbanks@oxy.edu.
