COMPANY STRUCTURE

Theatre West is a democratic artistic cooperative of actors, writers, directors, administrators, executive and artistic Board members and technical professionals dedicated to the artistic growth of its members.

Our threefold mission statement is to conduct workshops to further our members' artistic growth, present performances grown from those workshops and to do outreach to the greater community. Dues paying company members enjoy access to workshops in acting, playwriting, musical theatre and Shakespeare.

BECOME A MEMBER

Theatre West is a workshop-oriented company. Weekly workshops are offered in Acting, Writing, Musical Comedy and Shakespeare. They are only open to Theatre West members. Theatre West is a dues paying company. Dues are $60 a month with a one time initiation fee of $100. First year members must also volunteer at the theatre for a minimum of 6 hours per month. It is a great way to get acquainted with the company. Please send headshot and resume to office@theatrewest.org.

HOW TO JOIN

First submit a picture and resume. Mail Pics, Resumes, Scripts and other material to: Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd West, Hollywood CA 90068, or online at office@theatrewest.org.

If invited to audition, you will be contacted once audition dates are announced (usually in November). If selected to audition, you will be asked to do a prepared monolgue and a scene (your scene partner does not have to be an invited auditioner). The total time for both the monologue and the scene should not be more than 5 minutes. (If your partner also wants to do a monologue, your total alloted time will be 8 minutes.)

Theatre West Actors pay a $100 initiation fee and $60 per month in dues. Mandatory volunteer work hours are required in the first year of membership.There is no fee to audition. Some actors who are not voted into membership may be asked if they’d like to be an Associate Member (See Associates under How To Join The Company).

Playwrights are asked to submit a full length play (no screenplays) and email them to: office@theatrewest.org in a PDF Format.

It will be read by at least three Theatre West members, who will then offer their critique to the Artistic Board and the Writing Workshop Moderator. They will then vote upon membership acceptance.

Theatre West Writers pay a $100 initiation fee and $60 per month in dues. Mandatory volunteer work hours are required in the first year of membership.

Directors may join as an Observing Member by submitting a resume. They then have 3 months to mount a scene with company members which will act as their audition for the company.

As Observing Members, Directors do not pay dues (nor can they vote, etc). After they are accepted into the company, they pay the regular monthly dues. ($60 per month, plus mandatory work hours the first year).

Technical Members are usually brought into productions by company members familiar with their work, though you are welcome to send in a resume for membership approval by the Board.

Technical Members do not pay dues.

We are looking for talented and dedicated young actors interested in making Theatre West their artistic home. To petition to be an Associate,  please submit a picture, resume, and cover letter to: office@theatrewest.org.

The Associate Program at Theatre West is a two-year program. Associate members pay $10 a month dues and are required to attend a Thursday evening acting workshop from 7 to 10 PM.

Associate members are also required to complete a work call from 6 to 7 PM on Thursday evenings before the Associate Workshop begins. This entails the general cleaning and maintenance of the theater.

Associates are invited to attend all evening company workshops in Acting, Playwriting, Musical Theatre and Shakespeare. Associate members are also able to audition for all projects at Theatre West.

Associates are eligible to join as full company members after two years of successfully completing the Associate Program, following Artistic Board approval.

No associate may remain in the Associate Program for more than two years.

WORKSHOPS

Once you are invited to join the company, you may attend and participate in any of our workshops.
ACTING WORKSHOP
The Monday night Acting Workshop is the core of Theatre West. Work is initiated and prepared by individual members, varying from scenes to full length plays, poetry, monologues and musical theatre. A moderated critique is presented.
WRITERS WORKSHOP
Writers may bring in long or short pieces for moderated critique. Many of Theatre West’s main stage productions begin to take shape right here. Only stage works are workshopped — no screenplays.
SHAKESPEARE WORKSHOP
The Moderator guides the group through the canon. Focus is on understanding and interpretation of the Bard.
BETTY GARRETT MUSICAL COMEDY WORKSHOP
Members bring in songs for critique from a moderator. An accompanist is provided.
MARVIN KAPLAN ASSOCIATES PROGRAM
This is a curriculum-based acting and scene study class for our Associate Members.

STAFF & MEMBERS


ARTISTIC BOARD 2023-2024
  • Michael Van Duzer, Chairperson
  • Dina Morrone, Vice-Chairperson
  • Don Moore, Secretary
  • Rick Simone-Friedland, Treasurer
  • Connie Mellors, Sargeant-at-Arms
  • David Mingrino, Ombudsman
  • Laura James, Historian, Member at Large

Chairpersons Emeritus
  • Roger Kent Cruz
  • Betty Garrett
  • Matthew Hoffman

WORKSHOP MODERATORS
  • Rob Brownstein
  • Lori Carmona, CEO YWCA LA
  • Chris Di Giovanni
  • Doug Haverty
  • Laura James, Associates
  • Jody Jaress
  • Cecil Jennings
  • Victoria Lavan, Musical Comedy
  • Arden Lewis
  • Nick Mc Dow
  • Carmen Milito
  • Don Moore
  • Joe Nassi
  • Levy Lee Simon
  • Rick Simone-Friedland
  • Vincent Spano
  • Howard Storm
  • Michael Van Duzer

STORYBOOK THEATRE
  • Lloyd Schwartz
  • Barbara Mallory-Schwartz

STAFF
  • Operations Manager – Lindsay Lefler
  • Public Relations – Philip Sokoloff
  • Technical Director: David Johnson
  • Box Office – Michael Van Duzer
  • Casting - Dina Morrone
  • Website – Eva Crawford
  • Graphics – Doug Haverty
  • Archival Consultant – Philip Sokoloff
  • Historian – Noel Shire
  • Social Media - Michaela Skaribas
  • Front of House Manager – Anne Leyden
  • Storybook – Barbara Mallory-Schwartz, Lloyd Schwartz
  • Grant Writer – John Drew & Associates

ADVISORY BOARD
  • Cathy Merriman-Cygan, Actress, producer
  • Lori Carmona, CEO, YWCA LA
  • M. Bruce Gumbiner, First VP, American Business Bank
  • Col. Darryl Harrelson, MLE Studios
  • Gordon Letter, Esq. Attorney-at-Law
  • Steve Mitchell, Graphic Designer, Printer
  • Maryam Morrison, Publisher, The Eden Magazine
  • Matthew Morrison, US Military – Air Force Veteran
  • Karen Ragan-George, Actor/Writer/Activist
  • Stephen Rivkin, Picture Editor / Governor, Academy Awards
  • Rene Tovar, Esq. Attorney-at-Law

TEACHING ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
  • Deanna Gandy
  • Scottie Nevil
  • Arianna Staton
  • Amelia Vargas
  • Elise Walters

COMPANY MEMBERS HEADSHOTS