It’s hard to overstate the importance of EXIT Theatre to the San Francisco performance scene. Independently owned and operated since 1983, the four-stage “theatreplex” of the Tenderloin has become the go-to location for performers putting on everything from black box to burlesque. But, like every other venue, the pandemic forced EXIT to close its doors in March 2020. This left countless independent performers without a stage, and the venue’s flagship event, the annual San Francisco Fringe Festival, had to be canceled. One year and several lifted restrictions later, the EXIT is ready to welcome back both Fringe performers and live audiences alike. From Sept. 9-18, the 10 companies from San Francisco and beyond will occupy three of the EXIT’s stages with a variety of offbeat, provocative material.