ABOUT THEATRE WEST

Established in 1962 Theatre West is an internationally acclaimed non profit arts organization and the oldest continually running theatre company in Los Angeles.

Our productions have toured both sides of the Atlantic, including the Edinburgh and Dublin Festivals, New York City, Atlanta, South Carolina, Seattle, San Francisco, and throughout California.

Over the years Theatre West’s plays have transferred to Broadway (Spoon River Anthology, Aesop in Central Park), to feature films (A Bronx Tale, Faithful) and have been published (Acting: The First Six Lessons, Thicker Than Water). Two recent original plays (Our Man In Santiago) and (Eisenhower: This Piece Of Ground), premiered at Theatre West and shortly thereafter opened Off-Broadway.

Our work has been applauded with Tony Awards, Obies, Ovations Award Nominations, 9 LA Drama Critics Awards, Valley Theatre Awards, 7 NAACP Image Awards, and over 130 Drama-Logue Awards. Internationally, we have been nominated by the BBC for the Best of the Fringe, and awarded the coveted Cover of the Scotsman at the Edinburgh Festival, as well as Best Ensemble Award at the Dublin Festival. We have also been honored at the annual Charlie Awards presented by The Hollywood Arts Council.

Some of Hollywood’s brightest lights have made Theatre West their artistic home, including Betty Garrett, Lee Meriwether, Richard Dreyfuss, Carroll O’Connor, Harold Gould, Beau Bridges, Martin Landau, Bridget Hanley and Philip Abbott.

A new generation of actors and writers, continues to keep the legacy of its founding members alive with a commitment to expanding their artistic boundaries and to creating original and compelling works.

CONTACT US

PHONE

Box Office: 323-851-7977
Administrative Office: 323-851-4839
Storybook Box Office: 323-851-7977

EMAIL

Email our Main Office

ADDRESS

Theatre West
3333 Cahuenga Boulevard West
Los Angeles, CA 90068

Theatre West is located at 3333 Cahuenga Blvd West, LA, CA, 90068, off the 101, in the Cahuenga Pass, between Barham and Lankershim, just down the block from Universal Studios.

Note: Metro Bus Stop 156 drops off at Cahuenga Blvd West and Oakshire (North and South)

Parking is across the street for $10 — card only, no cash.

BOX OFFICE HOURS

Box office opens 1 hour prior to performances for walk up sales and will call pick up. To purchase tickets in advance click here or call our secure box office line to leave a reservation.

Rent Theatre West

Theatre West is available for producers to stage their own plays, or for film and TV shoots.

Stage Productions
(6pm-11pm for evening shows, 12pm-5pm for matinees.)

Workshops
(minimum 2 hours.)

Rehearsal room
(minimum two hours.)

Film and Television Shoots
Negotiable. Price is based on shooting needs and requirements.

For more information Call 323-851-4839 or Email our main office

Theater Specs Stage: 40′ wide x 20′ deep / Height to Grid: 10’6″ / Seats: 164

MISSION & VISION

Mission Statement
The mission of Theatre West is to nurture and develop theatre artists by giving them the opportunity to expand their talents and skills through workshops and public performances and to serve the community with invigorating educational programs.

Vision Statement
We believe in the art of theatre to educate, enlighten and entertain. We nurture, cultivate and foster vibrant theatre artists, and we provoke our audiences with plays that reflect the human condition.

DONORS & SPONSORS

Fifty-nine years ago, a small group of New York and LA based actors founded Theatre West to create a safe space to hone their craft, challenge their talent, and present works they felt passionate about. Today, Theatre West has grown to include over 125 actors, writers, directors, producers, and stage managers. For 39 years, Theatre West has also been home to Storybook Theatre, a children's interactive theatrical experience. Our mission has always been to entertain and inspire YOU, our treasured Patrons and Donors, and we are extremely grateful for your generosity over the years. Your support today enables us to continue presenting compelling stories that move, inspire, and speak truth to the human condition. We also remain committed to giving back to the community. Thank you to all of our Patrons and Donors!

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Make all checks payable to
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Theatre West
3333 Cahuenga Blvd West
Los Angeles, CA 90068

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  • Sponsor
  • California Arts Council
  • Sponsor
  • California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program
  • Sponsor
  • Comcast NBC Universal
  • Sponsor
  • Dwight Stuart Youth Fund
  • Sponsor
  • James and Deborah Burrows Foundation
  • Sponsor
  • Kaplan Loring Foundation
  • Sponsor
  • LA Parent Magazine
  • Sponsor
  • Lloyd E. Rigler-Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation
  • Sponsor
  • Los Angeles County Arts and Culture
  • Sponsor
  • Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
  • Sponsor
  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • Sponsor
  • Peter Glenville Foundation
  • Sponsor
  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grant
  • Sponsor
  • The Ahmanson Foundation
  • Sponsor
  • The Green Foundation
  • Sponsor
  • The Lear Family Foundation

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

THEATRE WEST STATEMENT

The artist members of Theatre West follow the precepts of Hamlet in his Advice to the Players believing “the purpose of playing, whose end, both at the first and now, was and is, to hold, as ‘twere, the mirror up to nature; to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure.”

The Arts are a mirror, and we use it to reflect almost every experience known to humankind. However, Art also allows us to scrutinize the present, reflect on the past, and ponder the future. We at Theatre West realize that our goals, and the goals of every theatre across the country, must be to work even harder to create a safe artistic home for an ever more diverse group of Actors, Playwrights, Directors, Musicians and Designers. To offer a public platform for the voices of all peoples, especially the marginalized and the oppressed. To decry bigotry and discrimination with a roar that can penetrate our country’s daily din. And if we are honest and courageous, we can hold that truth-telling mirror up to both the ugliness and the beauty of our society in the belief that it will help effect discussion, understanding and change.

Storybook Theatre

Since 1984 Storybook Theatre has been part of our company, honored by The United States Senate and House of Representatives, The County Board of Supervisors, the City Council of Los Angeles and Mayor’s Office. Storybook presents non-threatening, interactive musical theater appropriate for children 3-9 years old.

Education Program K-5

Theatre West’s qualified teaching staff goes into LAUSD classroom and uses theater skills to present positive and invigorating educational instruction that meet California Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards.

Educating Teachers

We have offered some 2,000 professionals over 5,000 workshops in acting, musical comedy, playwriting, Shakespeare, and improvisation – making art and creating a fun curriculum utilizing vocabulary, math, history, and geography.

Benefits

Theatre West routinely gives back to the community through benefits for local schools, the Valley Jewish Storefront, Hollygrove Orphanage, S.T.A.G.E., APLA, Concern II, and has raised thousands of dollars for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights A.I.D.S.

EDUCATION

Theatre West's education programs seek to serve the community by presenting quality theater for younger audiences and using theater skills to present positive and stimulating educational programs that meet California Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) standards.

The in-school theatre education program is designed to introduce pre-school and elementary school age children to different aspects of drama including characterization, emotional expression, understanding story, voice projection and enunciation, body language, and awareness. Through theater games, children learn the importance of teamwork and working together. Their involvement in the arts helps build confidence. They learn basic stage vocabulary, team-building, improve their creativity and use of their imagination, and develop greater empathy and socio-emotional learning.

Snow White

The program is a 12-week residency with one teaching artist 30 to 60 minutes per week. Theatre West's education programs include:

  • adapting classic stories and fairy tales into non-threatening plays and musicals that contain messages and lessons for young audiences
  • presenting these adaptations as fully staged productions at Theatre West
  • bringing young audiences to these productions from across Los Angeles, even providing transportation from underserved areas when possible
  • partnering with schools to bring theatre teaching artists for a 12-week residency into the classroom to use theater as vehicles for teaching storytelling, drama, reading, English, and language skills and to teach about theater in accordance with visual and performing arts

This program empowers children by improving their self-esteem and self-confidence while giving them a healthy outlet to express themselves in a safe environment.  They also are exposed to world dramatic literature by studying the play The Strongest One by Joseph Bruchac based on a Zuni (indigenous) folk story. The themes of this story resonate as the students learn about the interconnectivity of life through cause and effect in this fun and clever play.  It also brings to the fore representation and perspective by BIPOC artists.

Children watching Storybook Theatre

This program empowers children by improving their self-esteem and self-confidence while giving them a healthy outlet to express themselves in a safe environment.  They also are exposed to world dramatic literature by studying the play The Strongest One by Joseph Bruchac based on a Zuni (indigenous) folk story. The themes of this story resonate as the students learn about the interconnectivity of life through cause and effect in this fun and clever play.  It also brings to the fore representation and perspective by BIPOC artists.

All programs are age appropriate for pre-school to elementary school. At one of our former partner schools, Selma Avenue Elementary School in Hollywood, former principal Dr. Michelle Windmuller, described the impact the program as follows:

“Theatre West has been life-changing for our children. I mean that, literally. We have 89% English Language Learners, and over 90% are Title 1.  Because of your theatre programs, these children have a renewed sense that someone cares about them, and because of that, they value themselves again. Truancy is down, scores went up in standardized tests….the children are more engaged and excited about working with you.”

~ Former Principal Dr. Michelle Windmuller ES, Selma Avenue Elementary School in Hollywood

Plus, there is also an additional option for a field-trip to see one of Theatre West’s Storybook shows. Storybook Theatre is a program at Theatre West that has won numerous awards and recognition by the City, County, State, and US Senate and House of Representatives.

Contact Deanna or Elise to learn more and to find out how Theatre West can deliver this program to your school.