The Westside Theater inhabits the space formally known as Moksha Aerial Studio, Inc (MASC) founded by Sally Jo Beck (‘Sj’) in 2012. MASC was developed as a program within a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing healthy alternatives for youth. By 2014, MASC became its own entity; offering classes for all ages and becoming Missoula’s first performers guild for aerial and flow arts. In its fourth year, the company expanded to the current 5000 sq ft facility on Missoula’s Westside.

In January 2022, Bare Bait Dance took over management and renamed The Westside Theater. As home of the professional contemporary dance company, the theater continues to serve as a hub for movement and aerial artists. The theater also supports rehearsal and studio space for artists of various disciplines and serves as a state of the art performance venue.

More about The Shakespeare Building:

In 2014, Sj was seeking a facility to house rapidly growing company, MASC. Getting creative, she reached out to Walter Hailes, owner of Freestone Climbing Gym, in an effort to communicate the idea to share space, since both businesses have common needs of space and height, and a similar clientele. After much research, they felt the property at 1200 Shakespeare St. best fit their needs. They worked hard to ensure financing and design renovations of the entire building.

Recently, Sj’s father, Harold Beck, passed away. Harold was a respected business owner and has improved many properties in Western Montana. Before his passing, he shared with Sally Jo, that he believed in her ability to take the risk, and develop 1200 Shakespeare into a state of the art, family friendly fitness facility and community hub. She and Walter became business partners, and have had their noses to the grindstone for over a year ensuring Missoula is presented with the innovative alternative sports complex; the Shakespeare Building.