Celebration Theatre

Last updated
Celebration Theatre
Formation1982
TypeTheatre group
Purpose LGBT theatre
Location
  • 6760 Lexington Ave.
    Los Angeles, CA 90038
Notable members
Chris Maikish, Executive Director
Brittney S. Wheeler, Artistic Director
Nathan Frizzell, Associate Artistic Director
Website www.celebrationtheatre.com

The Celebration Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre company in Los Angeles, founded in 1982. The company is located in West Hollywood, on the west end of Theatre Row, and specializes in works representing the LGBTQ+ experience.

Contents

History

Celebration Theatre was founded in 1982 by Charles Rowland, who leased a storefront in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, to start a company dedicated to producing gay-themed material. [1]

In 1993, Robert Schrock took over as artistic director and moved the company to a 99-seat Equity waiver space in West Hollywood. [1] After 6 years of service, Schrock resigned from the position on April 1st, 1999. [2] Since then, the theatre has seen numerous individuals assume its role of artistic director. In June of 1999, Celebration Theatre announced that Richard Israel from the West Coast Ensemble Theatre would serve as its artistic director. [3] From December 2000 to 2005, the role was filled by Derek Charles Livingston. [4] [5] In 2005, it was passed onto Michael Matthews who held on to the position until 2008. [6] In 2008, Michael A. Shepperd became artistic director. [7] In August of 2011, the theatre announced that its associate artistic director, John Michael Beck would succeed Shepperd as artistic director. [8] By early January 2013, the theatre announced that Matthews and Shepperd would return as co-artistic directors. [9] In May 2021, the Board of Directors at Celebration Theatre terminated Shepperd following allegations of sexual misconduct which were raised by an actor who had a role in one of Shepperd's productions. [10] [11]

As of September 2023, the artistic director position is held by Brittney S. Wheeler, alongside Nathan Frizzell who is its associate artistic director. [12] In the 2023-2024 season, it operated as a guest resident at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. [13]

Awards

Past Productions

References

  1. 1 2 Spindle, Les (November 4, 2019). "It started in 1982, when the late Charles Rowland". Backstage.
  2. ↑ Manus, Willard (March 1, 1999). "Robert Schrock to Leave Celebration Theatre". Playbill.
  3. ↑ Manus, Willard (June 2, 1999). "L.A.'s Celebration Theatre Names Richard Israel New Artistic Director". Playbill.
  4. ↑ Shirley, Don (2000-12-10). "A Cause for Celebration's New Director". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  5. ↑ Sierra, Gabrielle. "F*CKING MEN Returns To The Celebration Theater In January". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  6. ↑ "TAKE ME OUT Closes at Celebration Theatre, 1/30". Broadway World. January 30, 2011. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  7. ↑ Dodds, Richard (December 1, 2009). "Westward ho (mo)!". Bay Area Reporter.
  8. ↑ "Celebration Theatre Announces New Artistic and Executive Direcotrs - LA Theatre News". www.theatreinla.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  9. ↑ Miller, Sean (January 8, 2013). "Shuffles Leadership". Backstage.
  10. ↑ Levesque, Brody (2021-05-25). "LA LGBTQ Theatre fires artistic director over sexual misconduct allegations". Los Angeles Blade. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  11. ↑ Gelt, Jessica (May 25, 2021). "L.A.'s biggest LGBTQ theater fires artistic director Michael A. Shepperd after sexual misconduct allegations". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ↑ Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Celebration Theatre Welcomes Brittney S. Wheeler & Nathan Frizzell as Artistic Director & Associate Artistic Director". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
  13. ↑ "About Celebration Theatre". Celebration Theatre. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  14. ↑ 2002 Ovation Award winners announced Archived 2005-02-26 at the Wayback Machine , Nov. 25, 2002 (pdf)
  15. ↑ 2006 Ovation nominees announced on TheatreMania online, Sept. 25, 2006
  16. ↑ 2007 Ovation nominations announced [ dead link ] in Los Angeles Times - Sept. 25, 2007
  17. ↑ 2008 Ovation nominees announced on Variety online, Sep. 23, 2008
  18. ↑ 2009-2010 StageSceneLA Scenies.
  19. ↑ "2009/2010 Ovation Award Nominees". LA Stage Alliance. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010.
  20. ↑ Chris (2020-05-29). "Past Productions". Celebration Theatre. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
  21. ↑ "Theatre review: "[title of show]" at Celebration Theatre". Los Angeles Times. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  22. ↑ "Review: "[title of show]"". Variety. 18 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  23. ↑ "[title of show] at the Celebration Theatre". L. A. Theatre Review. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Theater Review: "(title of show)"". UCLA Daily Bruin. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  25. ↑ "Theater Review: "(title of show)"". Stage Happenings. 22 July 2010. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  26. ↑ "L. A. Theater Review: "(title of show)"". Backstage. 21 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "BWW Reviews: L.A. Premiere of Witty '[title of show]' Is Hilarious Fun". Broadway World. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "[title of show], Celebration Theatre, Los Angeles". Huffington Post. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Singin' in the Rain [title of show] and Dani Girl". L. A. Weekly. 29 July 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
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