Born and Raised in Austin, Texas

a bunch of punks who like independence, experimentation, and honesty · in a constant search for catharsis · theatre of cruelty inspired work ·


​specialists in found space theatre · producers of strictly original and weird work · risk-takers · do it yourself attitude

once, one of our rehearsals was strictly smashing computer parts in a parking lot with a baseball bat and a machete.
​this pretty much describes what it is like to work with us.

Who We Are

  • Chris Fontanes

    Founder. Executive Director. Big Red enthusiast. Horror Movie Expert.

  • Julia Bennett

    New blood. New Artistic Director. The Substance. You are one.

  • Sarah Hogestyn

    Social media manager. Director. Stage manager. Baja Blast Connoisseur. Never has a charged phone.

  • SJ Anderson

    Senior graphic designer. Illustrator. Poster wizard. Loves dirt.

  • Trace Turner

    Director. Playwright. Dr. Pepper Addict. Has 2 conjoined toes.

  • Marian Kansas

    Director. Playwright. Lover of dogs. Can talk about Indian food for hours.

  • Jessika Land

    Stage Manager. Actor. Rave she must.

Our Critics Say…

  • "Aurora works as a play and an encapsulation of what makes Austin special. It’s off the beaten path in a laid-back way. Do you yearn to actually keep Austin weird? Because Bottle Alley is furthering that cause."

    Cat McCarrey, Austin Chronicle on Aurora

  • "As Bottle Alley's fine fable of loss and grief played out, it felt less like a work of theatre and more like a communal ritual, a ceremonial rite bursting with youthful vigor and punk exuberance that left its audience sweat-drenched, tear-stained, and breathless."

    Ryan E. Johnson, Austin Arts Watch

  • "For me, the most successful element of the evening was the experience created by Bottle Alley."

    Adam Roberts, Austin Chronicle on The Insomniacs Ball

  • "Bottle Alley Theatre has pulled off something truly remarkable. While some scenes are hysterically funny, others touch the audience's hearts and a few reach in, grab your soul and give it a good shake."

    Lynn Beaver, Broadway World on Self Portraits 3

  • "As self-described DIY punk performers, this ensemble is clearly experimenting with thought-provoking, immersive and original work."

    Amy Tarver on Black Dog

  • "Bottle Alley Theatre has made an art of making art in minimal spaces."

    Michael Meigs, Central Texas Live Theatre on Apocalypse

Awards and Nominations

  • Nominations:

    AUSTIN CRITICS TABLE DAVID MARK COHEN NEW PLAY AWARD - Chris Fontanes

    BROADWAY WORLD AUSTIN BEST WRITING, ORIGINAL WORK - Chris Fontanes

    BROADWAY WORLD AUSTIN BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY - Chris Fontanes

    B. IDEN PAYNE OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA - Emily Rankin

    BROADWAY WORLD AUSTIN BEST LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY - Emily Rankin

    B. IDEN PAYNE OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTRESS IN A DRAMA - Ellen Falterman

    BROADWAY WORLD AUSTIN BEST FEATURED ACTRESS IN A PLAY - Ellen Falterman

  • Awards:

    BROADWAY WORLD AUSTIN BEST DIRECTION OF A DRAMA - Dani Stetka

    BROADWAY WORLD AUSTIN BEST WRITING (ORIGINAL SCRIPT) - Chris Fontanes

    BROADWAY WORLD AUSTIN BEST PRODUCTION OF A DRAMA

  • Nominations:

    BEST PERFORMER IN A STREAMING PLAY (Danielle Grisko) - Broadway World Austin

    OUTSTANDING PROPERTIES DESIGN - B. Iden Payne

  • Nominations:

    BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY (Chris Fontanes) - Broadway World Austin

    BEST PERFORMER IN A PLAY (Miki Johnson) - Broadway World Austin

    BEST IN PERSON PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR - Broadway World Austin

    OUTSTANDING LIVE PRODUCTION - B. Iden Payne

    OUTSTANDING PROPERTIES DESIGN (Chris Fontanes) - B. Iden Payne

    OUTSTANDING STAGE MANAGEMENT (Chris Fontanes) - B. Iden Payne

  • Nominations:

    OUTSTANDING SHORT DIGITAL PRODUCTION (EDITED) for Sad Pikachu by Santiago J. Facundo III and Adriana Fontanez - B. Iden Payne

    OUTSTANDING DIGITAL PERFORMER (EDITED) for Emily Recites The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot by Emily Rankin - B. Iden Payne

  • Nominations:

    OUTSTANDING DIGITAL PRODUCTION (EDITED) - B. Iden Payne

  • Awards:

    SPECIAL CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL INTEGRATION - B. Iden Payne

  • Nominations:

    OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN - B. Iden Payne

  • Nominations:

    OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT (Chris Fontanes) - Austin Theatre Critics Awards

  • Wins:

    OUTSTANDING SCENIC DESIGN (Cody Arn) - Austin Theatre Critics Awards

    Nominations:

    OUTSTANDING PROPERTIES DESIGN (Marian Kansas) - B. Iden Payne

    OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN (Gavin Kenter) - Austin Theatre Critics Awards

    OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR (N.R. Oglesby) - Austin Theatre Critics Awards