The VORTEX

The VORTEX Fearless Theatre Exchange, est. 1988 Box Office Hours - 4:30pm - 8pm on performance days. Integrity lives at our core.
(421)

Get tix online at VortexRep.org, or leave a message during off hours at 512-478-5282 and the Box Office Manager will return your call. Producing Artistic Director - Bonnie Cullum
Managing Director - Melissa McKnight
Director of Finance - Krystle Cline
Associate Artistic Directors - Rudy Ramirez, Chris Fontanes
Box Office Manager - Alex Cogburn
Bar Manager - Emma Robertson

The VORTEX MISSION:
We

conjure urgent, unashamed art to create action in a shifting age. We embrace diverse communities, break down barriers, and elevate inclusive discourse from our cultural harbor in Austin, Texas. We enliven humanity with magical green new theatre at our Butterfly Bar and Sanctuary. The VORTEX CORE: Our core values are encompassed by the Pentacle of Integrity: Transformation, Magic, Community, Diversity, and Earth. We engage in radical transformation through edge-walking artistic creations and innovations. Magic emanates from our cultural harbor, engaging Spirit. Our space and our culture support expanding circles of inclusive community. Our art reflects diversity of people and voices from the global majority. Sustainability and environmentalism center Earth at our foundation. About The VORTEX: Since 1988, The VORTEX’s highly collaborative ensemble of visionaries has conjured and navigated the storm of imagination with urgent, unashamed art. We dare to dream and actively manifest the world in which we want to live through the medium of new theatrical and performative creations. As a leader in Austin’s alternative theatre scene, The VORTEX has received hundreds of awards for artistic excellence. Guided by Bonnie Cullum’s vision, our ensemble has evolved an artistic methodology that has produced more than 30 seasons of aesthetically diverse world premiere productions ranging from new plays, operas, and musicals to ritual theatre, experimental collaborations, and devised projects. The VORTEX venue is artist-owned and operated and was the first theatre to make a home for the arts in Austin’s historically underserved Eastside, now a blossoming independent arts district. With a nationally-certified Butterfly Sanctuary, an outdoor stage, and handcrafted cocktails, our Butterfly Bar, has become a community destination in East Austin. A leader in the growth of the arts and economic stability in Austin, The VORTEX thrives as a mature arts organization. The VORTEX is a Green Business Leader with successful Zero Waste initiatives that include recycling and composting. The VORTEX has offered its free, award-winning Summer Youth Theatre since 1991, mentoring several generations of young artists. Internationally renowned as a haven for alternative performance, The VORTEX has presented work by dozens of famous cutting-edge artists. Internships and Work-Study jobs involve university students. Other notable initiatives include ASL-interpreted performances, Radical Rush free tickets, and ongoing food drives for SAFE. Our diverse audience includes people of all ages and backgrounds: a large Latinix population, engaged African American neighbors, 50,000 University of Texas students, plus faculty and students from dozens of other colleges, LGBTQ patrons, persons with disabilities, and at-risk youth. Austin’s unique environment favors independent thinking, activism, feminism, history, and art.

🎥 The VORTEX is proud to present a screening of, THE HORSE OF JENIN, By Alaa Shehada on May 30th“The horse in Arabic is ...
05/29/2026

🎥 The VORTEX is proud to present a screening of, THE HORSE OF JENIN, By Alaa Shehada on May 30th

“The horse in Arabic is a symbol of freedom. But to us, this horse is much more. This horse is us.”

Built from the debris of a major invasion, the Horse of Jenin sculpture became a constant presence in Alaa’s life growing up in Occupied Palestine. It stood proudly in the center of the city for twenty years, symbolizing hope and resistance. Then, on October 29, 2023, an Israeli bulldozer entered the city, ripping the sculpture from its place — and from its people. Now, Alaa is left wondering... What happened to the horse?

Combining storytelling, mask, and stand-up comedy, The Horse of Jenin is constructed from the fragments of Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada’s own memories and stands as an ode to the power of imagination and the resilience it brings.

Watch the screening of THE HORSE OF JENIN at The VORTEX during our “Clownidarity Forever” event on May 30th 🤡 This fundraising event seeks to remind people that resistance and building hope can take many forms, such as laughter, play, and comedy! Proceeds from ticket sales and a portion of vending sales will be donated to a clown from the Gaza Circus School named, Uncle Tito!

🔗https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clownidarity-forever-tickets-1986361282066?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnr98EsywgikW-WtAmSjoGbbqQsPjGvkFKuStkws5zhthBK0DplgFCd-6DNWU_aem_TDyQd_voQRdRZDc4SQqsgg

🌊 Not in Austin? Catch the LIVESTREAM - Another Kind of Silence TONIGHT ONLY Love. Silence. Desire - Signed, Spoken, and...
05/28/2026

🌊 Not in Austin? Catch the LIVESTREAM - Another Kind of Silence TONIGHT ONLY

Love. Silence. Desire - Signed, Spoken, and Felt.

🌀 The VORTEX continues its “Pursuit of Happiness” season with the Rolling World Premiere of Another Kind of Silence, a new, bilingual play in English and ASL (American Sign Language) by L M Feldman, directed by MoMo Holt. A National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere, this production unites Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing artists and audiences into a fully integrated bilingual experience.

Performed simultaneously in signed ASL and spoken English, Another Kind of Silence examines relationships shaped by difference. Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard-of-hearing, and hearing characters are paired with a “chorus” - another voice, another body - revealing interior thoughts and emotional truths through a second language. Layered communication and embodied storytelling drive the work, expanding the possibilities of bilingual theatre while centering collective well-being

The characters’ intersecting stories move through love, fulfillment, hunger, and silence, tracing their journeys as they search for a way forward. What is signed, what is spoken, and what is left unspoken forms a richly textured theatrical language of transformation 🎭

TICKETS 🎟 available through the link in our bio!

📸 Photography by

🌊 The second weekend of Another Kind of Silence begins TONIGHT! - Shows run through June 7, 2026 - 🎟 SPECIAL TICKET OFFE...
05/28/2026

🌊 The second weekend of Another Kind of Silence begins TONIGHT! - Shows run through June 7, 2026 - 🎟 SPECIAL TICKET OFFER FOR THURSDAY AT SUNDAY - USE CODE BOGO AT CHECKOUT 🎟

Love. Silence. Desire - Signed, Spoken, and Felt.

🌀 The VORTEX continues its “Pursuit of Happiness” season with the Rolling World Premiere of Another Kind of Silence, a new, bilingual play in English and ASL (American Sign Language) by L M Feldman, directed by MoMo Holt. A National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere, this production unites Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing artists and audiences into a fully integrated bilingual experience.

Performed simultaneously in signed ASL and spoken English, Another Kind of Silence examines relationships shaped by difference. Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard-of-hearing, and hearing characters are paired with a “chorus” - another voice, another body - revealing interior thoughts and emotional truths through a second language. Layered communication and embodied storytelling drive the work, expanding the possibilities of bilingual theatre while centering collective well-being

The characters’ intersecting stories move through love, fulfillment, hunger, and silence, tracing their journeys as they search for a way forward. What is signed, what is spoken, and what is left unspoken forms a richly textured theatrical language of transformation 🎭

TICKETS 🎟 https://vortexrep.org/38_another_kind_of_silence

📸 Photography by

🌀 From now until July 2026, we are raising $80,000 for Another Kind of Silence, A bilingual collaboration between deaf a...
05/27/2026

🌀 From now until July 2026, we are raising $80,000 for Another Kind of Silence, A bilingual collaboration between deaf and hearing artists and audiences and one of our most ambitious productions.

Your gift will go directly to making this groundbreaking show possible! 📣

Donation Impact:
$25: Helps the VORTEX with administrative overhead and artist compensation
$100: Covers 1 ASL interpreter for 1 rehearsal
$200: Covers 1 night of accommodations for 1 artist who travels to participate in Another Kind of Silence
$500: Covers reserving the theater for rehearsals for 1 night
$1000+: Back stage tour on opening night of Another Kind of Silence

Donations can be made at vortexrep.org

✋ Performed simultaneously in signed ASL and spoken English, Another Kind of Silence examines relationships shaped by difference. Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing characters are paired with a “chorus” - another voice, another body - revealing interior thoughts and emotional truths through a second language. Layered communication and embodied storytelling drive the work, expanding the possibilities of bilingual theatre while centering collective well-being 🌊

05/22/2026

🌊 Another Kind of Silence opened last night at The VORTEX! - Shows run through June 7, 2026

Love. Silence. Desire - Signed, Spoken, and Felt.

🌀 The VORTEX continues its “Pursuit of Happiness” season with the Rolling World Premiere of Another Kind of Silence, a new, bilingual play in English and ASL (American Sign Language) by L M Feldman, directed by MoMo Holt. A National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere, this production unites Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing artists and audiences into a fully integrated bilingual experience.

Performed simultaneously in signed ASL and spoken English, Another Kind of Silence examines relationships shaped by difference. Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard-of-hearing, and hearing characters are paired with a “chorus” - another voice, another body - revealing interior thoughts and emotional truths through a second language. Layered communication and embodied storytelling drive the work, expanding the possibilities of bilingual theatre while centering collective well-being

The characters’ intersecting stories move through love, fulfillment, hunger, and silence, tracing their journeys as they search for a way forward. What is signed, what is spoken, and what is left unspoken forms a richly textured theatrical language of transformation 🎭

TICKETS 🎟 available through the link in our bio!

🎥 Show Videography by

05/22/2026
🌊 OPENING TONIGHT! - Another Kind of Silence - Shows run through June 7, 2026Love. Silence. Desire - Signed, Spoken, and...
05/21/2026

🌊 OPENING TONIGHT! - Another Kind of Silence - Shows run through June 7, 2026

Love. Silence. Desire - Signed, Spoken, and Felt.

🌀 The VORTEX continues its “Pursuit of Happiness” season with the Rolling World Premiere of Another Kind of Silence, a new, bilingual play in English and ASL (American Sign Language) by L M Feldman, directed by MoMo Holt. A National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere, this production unites Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing artists and audiences into a fully integrated bilingual experience.

Performed simultaneously in signed ASL and spoken English, Another Kind of Silence examines relationships shaped by difference. Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard-of-hearing, and hearing characters are paired with a “chorus” - another voice, another body - revealing interior thoughts and emotional truths through a second language. Layered communication and embodied storytelling drive the work, expanding the possibilities of bilingual theatre while centering collective well-being

The characters’ intersecting stories move through love, fulfillment, hunger, and silence, tracing their journeys as they search for a way forward. What is signed, what is spoken, and what is left unspoken forms a richly textured theatrical language of transformation 🎭

TICKETS 🎟 https://vortexrep.org/38_another_kind_of_silence

📸 Photography by Errich Petersen Photography

05/19/2026

🌊 OPENING MAY 21 - Another Kind of Silence at The VORTEX! Shows run through June 7, 2026

Love. Silence. Desire - Signed, Spoken, and Felt.

🌀 The VORTEX continues its “Pursuit of Happiness” season with the Rolling World Premiere of Another Kind of Silence, a new, bilingual play in English and ASL (American Sign Language) by L M Feldman, directed by MoMo Holt. A National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere, this production unites Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing artists and audiences into a fully integrated bilingual experience.

Performed simultaneously in signed ASL and spoken English, Another Kind of Silence examines relationships shaped by difference. Deaf, Deaf-Blind, hard-of-hearing, and hearing characters are paired with a “chorus” - another voice, another body - revealing interior thoughts and emotional truths through a second language. Layered communication and embodied storytelling drive the work, expanding the possibilities of bilingual theatre while centering collective well-being

The characters’ intersecting stories move through love, fulfillment, hunger, and silence, tracing their journeys as they search for a way forward. What is signed, what is spoken, and what is left unspoken forms a richly textured theatrical language of transformation 🎭

TICKETS 🎟 https://vortexrep.org/38_another_kind_of_silence

📣 We're launching our very first Ambassador Program!The VORTEX is searching for Content Creators that are interested in ...
05/19/2026

📣 We're launching our very first Ambassador Program!

The VORTEX is searching for Content Creators that are interested in promoting our theatrical productions for our 2026 season! 🎭

The VORTEX is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a vibrant 35 year history creating art here in Austin. The VORTEX thrives as a unique regional theatre, providing an essential community destination with significant, professional theatrical productions, community gathering space, our nationally-certified butterfly sanctuary, and our lively Butterfly Bar 🦋

Click the link below to apply if you are interested in:
🎟 FREE tickets to see Live Theatre at The VORTEX
🍹 FREE craft cocktails from
🎨 Supporting Local Austin Artists

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz2ARSwX4_WbULbcYGdGtEFZT1O4g90oXZ_HdYJunst9Op5Q/viewform

🌀 From now until July 2026, we are raising $80,000 for Another Kind of Silence, A bilingual collaboration between deaf a...
05/18/2026

🌀 From now until July 2026, we are raising $80,000 for Another Kind of Silence, A bilingual collaboration between deaf and hearing artists and audiences and one of our most ambitious productions.

Your gift will go directly to making this groundbreaking show possible! 📣

Donation Impact:
$25: Helps the VORTEX with administrative overhead and artist compensation
$100: Covers 1 ASL interpreter for 1 rehearsal
$200: Covers 1 night of accommodations for 1 artist who travels to participate in Another Kind of Silence
$500: Covers reserving the theater for rehearsals for 1 night
$1000+: Back stage tour on opening night of Another Kind of Silence

Donations can be made here https://vortexrep.org/donate

✋ Performed simultaneously in signed ASL and spoken English, Another Kind of Silence examines relationships shaped by difference. Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing characters are paired with a “chorus” - another voice, another body - revealing interior thoughts and emotional truths through a second language. Layered communication and embodied storytelling drive the work, expanding the possibilities of bilingual theatre while centering collective well-being 🌊

Address

2307 Manor Road
Austin, TX
78722

Telephone

+15124785282

Website

https://bit.ly/m/TheVORTEXRep

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The VORTEX posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to The VORTEX:

Share

//iconSize: [32, 32], //html: '' }) .bindTooltip(name, { //permanent: true, direction: 'bottom', //offset: L.point(12, 25), //opacity: 0.88, interactive: true }) .bindPopup(name); markersLayer.addLayer(marker); } function getMore() { if (gettingMore) { return; } gettingMore = true; var center = map.getCenter(); $.ajax({ url: "/vicinitysearch", data: { lat: center.lat, lng: center.lng, country: "UNITED STATES" } }) .done(function(data) { var added = 0; data.forEach(function(loc) { if (!locationIds.includes(loc.id)) { var mapLoc = {id:loc.id,lat:loc.latitude,lng:loc.longitude,title:trunc20(loc.name),popupHtml:loc.popupHtml,urlPath:loc.urlPath,pictureUrl:loc.pictureUrl}; locations.push(mapLoc); locationIds.push(loc.id); map._addMarker(mapLoc); added++; } }); }) .always(function() { gettingMore = false; }); } map._clearMarkers = function() { markersLayer.clearLayers(); } }); }, 4000); });