History
Bayview Opera House Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, formed to operate programming at the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theater located on the corner of Third and Newcomb Streets in San Francisco. Bayview Opera House's story began with the organization of Masonic Lodge #313 in 1870. The lodge headquarters at the time were located at 1528 Gerald Avenue, five blocks north of Newcomb Street.

In 1888 the Masons completed work on a new Masonic Temple with the South San Francisco Opera House as a part of it. The South San Francisco Opera House, later to become known as the Bayview Opera House, stood adjacent to the Masonic Temple, and was constructed as an amusement center. The 300 seat theatre/auditorium represents the city's first and oldest opera house. Although there were no operas held here, there were a number of dramas and vaudeville acts by well-known actors and actresses in its early history. The most famous of them was David Belasco, who later became famous in New York's theatrical world. There was Pawnee Bill's Medicine Show and several old time minstrels.

The people of San Francisco would come out to have a good time, transported in surreys and buggies. At the opposite corner of Third Street there was a brewery where the patrons enjoyed refreshments during intermission. Road companies first came to the Opera House in horse-drawn wagons, carrying their costumes and scenery with them. Later, as rail travel became the norm, the Southern Pacific Railroad put a line running from the south which made a stop two blocks from the theater. This made it inconvenient for the road companies to stop on their way to San Francisco, so the number of performances began to decline. Later, a second line was built in two sections giving direct access to San Francisco proper. This and the earthquake and fire of 1906, which destroyed all of San Francisco's other theatres, resulted in the decline of legitimate theater at the Opera House. The Masons, however, continued to use the Opera House as a community social hall. Probably the first theatrical performance to be given in the Opera House since the beginning of the twentieth century was staged on May 27 and 29, 1968 by Western Opera Theatre. The company sponsored by the Equal Opportunities Council, presented probably the first two operas ever to be performed in the Opera House: The Barber of Seville and La Boheme. Later, the Opera House was used for dances and also as a youth center.

The current board, Bayview Opera House Inc., began running programs from the facility in 1989 with a commitment to providing quality programs to the community. On December 7, 1995, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors renamed the facility, The Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theater. Ruth Williams was a community resident who played a leading role in preventing the demolition of this historic structure. Ruth Williams was a producer, playwright and actress who produced numerous plays and musicals at the Bayview Opera House and was an integral influence on the careers of actor Danny Glover, singer Cindy Herron of En Vogue and local black playwrights and film makers. Many who grew up in Bayview to become successful artists and actors have come back to the community giving of their time and money.

Directions.
The Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theater ("Opera House") is located in the Bayview Hunters Point community at 4705 Third Street (between Oakdale and Newcomb) in San Francisco. The Opera House has two areas available for public use: Theater performance stage seating capacity for up to 300 Studio/Classroom seating capacity for up to 15 In order to use the Opera House, interested artists/producers and organizations must fill out an "Application for Space Use". Applications are included with these guidelines or available from the Opera House by call (415) 824-0386. All Applications for Space Use will be reviewed by the Opera House Executive Director.
E-mail:vernon@bayviewoperahouse.org

Rentals available.
The BVOH is available for rental for community events, church functions, birthday parties, meetings, social gatherings, plays, and much more (please read all facility rental guidelines). Our magnificent facility offers a theater with removable seating for 300 people, a full kitchen with service window, dressing rooms, a meeting room for 15-20 people, vcr, projector, 35mm Film Projector, full stage, outside stage and courtyard, and access to easy parking and public transportation. Muni Lines #15, 44, 23, 19, 54, and 29 are located near the Bayview Opera House. A technician is available to provide sound, lighting, microphones, and other technical needs. For more info click here