Back in the 1980s, I was an actress deeply involved in small theater in Los Angeles. I even received two Drama-Logue Awards for outstanding performance as an actor. Drama-Logue was the premier actor’s newspaper with casting notices and play reviews. It was bought out by Backstage West.
At the time I was involved, the L.A.Theater community was vibrant with numerous “equity waiver (99-seat)” theaters throughout the city. Actors participated in plays to be seen by casting directors and to perform in innovative work.
But things have changed over the years. With the popularity of streaming and online self-taping to get in front of casting directors, many performers are turning to YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to build celebrity standing rather than work for little or no pay doing live theater.
Los Angeles theaters have faced challenges in recent years
The pandemic took a toll on many live L.A. theater venues. Some scaled back while others closed completely. The overall decline in attendance, accelerated by the pandemic, has not fully recovered.
According to LAist, many small theaters were negatively impacted by California Assembly Bill 5 (AB5), which affected funding.
The National Endowment for the Arts found that the U.S. art economy shrank at twice the rate of the economy between 2019 and 2020.
The film community has also been impacted by the lack of production in Los Angeles. That will hopefully change.
Despite these challenges, some Los Angeles theaters are thriving. They include:
The historic Pasadena Playhouse, the Official State Theater of California, has a high subscription rate and strong financial performance. I have seen many plays there, and they are always professional and first-rate.
Center Theatre Group, which includes the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, has faced budget shortfalls and staff layoffs but has turned in some blockbuster plays. I was blown away by “The Lehman Trilogy” in 2022 at the Ahmanson, and the organization has produced many blockbusters such as “Hadestown.”
Geffen Playhouse: Located in a historic 1920s building in Westwood, the Geffen Playhouse showcases a variety of plays, from new original works to classics. It is described as a professional theater with reasonable prices, good sight lines, comfortable seating, clean restrooms, a courtyard, and a bar. The Geffen Playhouse also tends towards more intimate settings and focuses on plays rather than large-scale musicals.
Pantages Theater in Hollywood brings “Broadway to Hollywood” and stays active with mostly musical touring companies like “Kimberly Akimbo,” “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “Hamilton,” and “Wicked.” The Theater is the closest L.A. has to the Broadway experience.
El Portal Theatre is another historic theater in North Hollywood. It rents out its space to various companies and has a 360-seat Debbie Reynolds Mainstage Theatre, the 96-seat Marilyn Monroe Forum, and the 42-seat Theatre Tribe. I recently saw an amazing musical production of “One for My Baby,” and former weathercaster/comedian Fritz Coleman does his standup routine at the El Portal.
What is going on with small and midsize theaters in Los Angeles?
The following smaller theaters have remained active:
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble: Founded in 1969, this theater complex boasts three 99-seat theaters and is known for producing contemporary and reinvented classic plays with high-quality production values. They are praised for their challenging and pertinent theatre, featuring skilled actors and providing a comfortable and clean atmosphere with amenities like a snack bar and free parking. I was in an Odyssey production of Wally Shawn’s “Marie and Bruce” back in the day.
Theatre West: This intimate performing arts space hosts a range of productions. It’s known for its audience-friendly environment, including a pleasant lobby, two bathrooms, and padded seats. They offer affordable, kid-friendly shows like “Little Red Riding Hood.”
Whitefire Theatre: This Sherman Oaks performance space is used for independent productions, workshops, casting, and rehearsals. It is recognized for its well-suited stage with projection equipment and praised for its intimate setting and the director’s vision. It runs an annual Solofest that features one-man and one-woman plays.
Third Street Theatre: A 99-seat Equity Waiver Theatre in West Hollywood, established in the 1940s, rents its space to various theatrical productions and workshops, hosting celebrity actors and Dancing with the Stars participants.
Sacred Fools Theater Company: Located in Los Angeles, this theater is recognized for its bold and irreverent local productions, with a 99-seat capacity and a high user rating of 4.7 stars.
Road Theatre Company: Based in North Hollywood, this non-profit theater has been dedicated to showcasing new work for the stage since 1991, offering an impressive performance space and high user reviews. It hosts a summer playwrights festival.
Fountain Theatre: The Fountain Theatre is another small theater in Los Angeles that produces plays and has garnered attention nationwide.
Colony Theatre in Downtown Burbank is an award-winning, nationally recognized theater known for its high-quality productions. It is a mid-size theater with a seating capacity of 268.
A Noise Within is a leading regional theater located in South Pasadena. It focuses on classic theater in a modern setting.
Los Angeles theaters that promote the immigrant experience and diversity
Los Angeles is a city of diversity with many ethnic cultures within its midst. Some you may want to frequent and support include:
Latino Theater Company at The Los Angeles Theatre Center: Founded in 1985 by José Luis Valenzuela, this company is a key player in promoting diverse voices. Their productions explore the U.S. Latina/o/x experience and showcase a multicultural blend of shows, including works by Black, First Nation, Asian American, LGBTQ+, and other communities. They are housed at
East West Players: Located in Little Tokyo, this theater focuses on Asian American narratives and aims to represent a wide range of nationalities in its productions. Their audience is significantly composed of people of color.
Robey Theatre Company: Dedicated to showcasing the works of Black theater artists, this company is another significant force in presenting diverse stories. They are one of the companies in residence at
Skylight Theatre Company: This informal theater venue is known for presenting innovative works by emerging playwrights, including those from diverse backgrounds.
Imagine Theatre focuses on gender equity, diversity, and civic engagement among youth. They produce inclusive plays that reflect LA’s diverse cultural diaspora and are a 501(C)(3) non-profit theatre company.
CASA 0101 Theater was founded by Josefina López in Boyle Heights, is located in a primarily Chicano neighborhood. Its productions mainly focus on the Mexican American experience and the history of the community. The auditorium is named after former State Assembly member Gloria Molina.
Changes in the viewing audience of Los Angeles theater due to streaming apps
Streaming services have impacted the way audience members consume entertainment, leading to a shift in viewing habits and a decline in traditional theater attendance. Subscriptions are down, and the preference is for single-ticket purchases.
Audiences have become more fragmented, and theaters struggle to rebuild their audience. The industry is in a period of adjustment as it navigates the evolving entertainment landscape.
Still, there is nothing as exhilarating for an actor as being in front of a live audience. Please support these venues and education in theater if you can.
Do you attend live theater in Los Angeles? What is your favorite venue? Please leave a comment below.
The featured image is Parsons Nose Theater in Old Pasadena, which I visited during Pasadena Art Night. The theater’s building is a former mortuary with a Gothic design.
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