mission
brooklynONE productions (bkONE) brooklynONE productions (bkONE) is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to developing bold, alternative, experimental, and artist-driven work.
Founded as a creative home for emerging artists, bkONE produces and supports original theatre, reimagined classics, film, music, mixed media, immersive events, visual art, and multidisciplinary performance. Rooted in collaboration, creative risk, and community, brooklynONE provides artists of all ages and experience levels with a platform to create ambitious work, explore new ideas, and connect with audiences in Brooklyn, New York City, and beyond.
Through productions, festivals, artist showcases, youth programs, gallery exhibitions, and live events, bkONE expands access to innovative performing arts while championing the voices, stories, and creative experiments that shape Brooklyn’s cultural future.
history
About brooklynONE productions (bkONE):
brooklynONE productions (bkONE) is an independent Brooklyn nonprofit performing arts company founded in 2006 by Anthony Marino and Tom Kane as a haven for emerging artists, experimental theatre, and bold creative collaboration.
Based in Brooklyn, bkONE develops and produces original works, reimagined classics, new plays, multidisciplinary performances, film projects, music events, visual art exhibitions, immersive experiences, and community-driven festivals. Since its founding, the company has been committed to supporting artists at every stage of their creative journey while creating accessible, adventurous, and thought-provoking performance experiences for New York City audiences.
From 2006 to 2014, brooklynONE productions was based at the historic Church of the Generals in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. After the church closed in 2014, bkONE entered a nomadic chapter, producing events, performances, and special projects across New York City from 2015 to 2022. That journey eventually led to a creative partnership with Industry City, where bkONE began presenting regular programming and established its permanent home: The Tom Kane Theatre, an intimate black box performance space located within one of Brooklyn’s most vibrant creative communities.
Today, brooklynONE productions continues to serve as a home for emerging artists, experimental performance, new work, and multidisciplinary arts in Brooklyn. With deep roots in the borough and a growing presence beyond it, bkONE remains committed to collaboration, artistic risk, community engagement, and expanding access to transformative live performance.
the legend - from Tom Kane
"On November 13, 1993, a dream was born. We had just completed the final performance of The Life & Times Of Matthew Ryan, my first play, and after the emotional farewells to the cast and crew, I slept like a baby. I dreamt of a place where artists were free to write, direct, star, sing, and make poetry to perform to throngs of uplifting gormandizers....Then I woke up and went to work on Wall Street.
Thirteen years and seven plays later: brooklynONE was born. March 19, 2006
Two very important dates. November 13 is when Felix Ungar was asked to remove himself from his place of residence (that request came from his wife) and March 19 is Anthony Marino's birthday. I said to him on birthday #24... "let's start our own theater company... we'll call it BrooklynONE."
So, the youngest member of the cast of Matthew Ryan and the author of said play became partners in the land of my dreams from 13 years ago... AND AWAY WE GO
"Let the play begin" ---
We are... brooklynONE
A biography of our late co-founder Tom Kane.“Art is alive in Brooklyn! You’d be delusional to think anything else could be more fun”
A Legacy.
Tom Kane was a life long resident of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The son of Tom and Kandy Kane, he grew up on 88th street with his two sisters, Kerry and Kimberly. Tom spent his formative years as a student at St. Patricks School, and then spent happy years at Xaverian High School where he remained an active alumnus. Tom continued his education at State University of New Paltz. He went to have a career on Wall Street that spanned over 25 years, his last five as Vice President at Credit Lyonnais.
Tom was committed to the youth in the community. Whether in sports, development, arts or other activities his work was invaluable. Tom spent many years as a sports coach for CYO baseball and various teams and leagues; he also served as Commissioner of Baseball for St. Patrick's Parish. After retiring from Wall Street, he worked as a teacher/behavioral therapist for Thursday's Child, an early intervention program for Autistic children. Tom's commitment to the youth was further sealed when he joined the Board of Directors of the Francesco Loccisano Memorial Foundation, an organization that helps families with children fighting cancer.
Tom's dedication to the community and it's many important projects was exemplary. This could be seen in his activism towards the arts. Throughout the years Tom spent time performing with every theatre group in the area. Whether it was Sts. Simon and Jude Players, NCT, Samaha Productions or Xaverian's Alumni Theatre group (where Tom honed his craft of song and playwriting), Tom was a familiar face on stage. After Tom found success in various shows he finally penned his own musical in 1993 for Xaverian's Alumni group, "The Life and Times of Matthew Ryan". This show provided Tom the confidence and inspiration to continue to write plays and songs for the rest of his career. The show would also spark life long friendships and partnerships. After having some other original works produced by various other companies including TSI/Playtime stories in Manhattan, Tom decided it was time to bring his own theatrical flavors back to Bay Ridge. brooklynONE was co-founded in 2006 by Tom as a place for artists to explore the craft of theatre making and all of its aspects. It continues to produce experimental theatre works and events of all kinds, and remains strong in the ideals he brought to it.
Finally, Tom did become the voice of Bay Ridge. In 2006 he began work as community editor for the Bay Ridge Eagle and contributing writer for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. His Citizen Kane column became a staple of the community, and it was not uncommon for Tom to feature even the more obscure Brooklyn events in his weekly read. The column became the corner stone to the then new and unknown local paper. He was able to capture the essence of who he was and his relationship to community in his column. In his memory the Bay Ridge Eagle continued to print his column with his friends and co-works contributing to it for several months after his passing.
Tom lived everyday for others... and now brooklynONE will continue to produce works with his legacy a source of continued inspiration.