Celebration Theatre / Celebration Productions Corporation

In September 2022 following a series of developmental table readings the theatre presented a world-premiere workshop reading of BIRTHDAY BRUNCH a semi-autobiographical work by commissioned playwright Jen Olivares about the contemporary Native experience in Southern California. Through the lens of Tiffany a queer housing-unstable artist venturing back into her homelands we dance alongside her struggles and joys as her estranged family reveals and reconnects the unjust histories and bonds buried between them. With little land and at times community to hold onto Tiffany's birthday wish is for a home reborn.The commission was part of Celebration Theatre's Indigiqueer program focused on bringing Indigenous and queer voices to the stage. The project engaged 8 Indigenous artists and was supported in part by grants from California Arts Council and City of West Hollywood. This free-to-the-public program saw 71 attendees over two performances at the Davidson Valentini Theatre Lily Tomlin Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center at Los Angeles LGBT Center. In November 2022 Celebration Theatre reprised HEAR THEM LOUD a one-night program of new works performances from TGNC transgender nonbinary gender nonconforming artists directed and produced by TGNC artists 14 in total. This showcase of original works celebrated trans joy and power. From dance to poetry music to storytelling artists took the audience on a journey through creating art and celebrating community. This program was supported in part by the California Arts Council and saw 40 attendees at the Davidson Valentini Theatre. In December 2022 Celebration partnered with Hollywood Fringe Festival to present a special community event called "Creative Conversations: Writing Queer Solo Work." The workshop discuss the impact that Queer Solo Theatre has on the creator and the audience and how to make it happen. Creating authentic queer theatre in an industry where often little is to be found is liberating for artists and a unifying experience of love for audiences. This empowering session celebrating queer storytellers included 4 panelists across the LGBTQ+ spectrum with dozens of attendees both live and over live stream. In March 2023 the theatre debuted its annual fundraiser gala an afternoon awards program and community gathering called "Celebration Honors" which gives out three awards to theatremakers: the Chuck Rowland Pioneer Award for groundbreaking and distinguished achievements in LGBTQ+ playwriting and arts advocacy given to playwright Del Shores; the Vibrant Voice Award for emerging theatremakers contributing to queer & intersectional stories given to writer performer Khiyon Hursey; and The O'Hara Appreciation Award recognizing a company member who has gone above & beyond for Celebration Parnell Damone Marcano. The event included 12 artists paying homage to the theatre's honorees and saw attendance of 101 supporters at the Renberg Theatre and Courtyard Lily Tomlin Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center at Los Angeles LGBT Center. In May and June 2023 the theatre presented a timely revival of Finn & Lapine's musical A NEW BRAIN with support in part from the David Lee Foundation. The program engaged a creative production team of 22 a cast of 16 artists and a 4-piece live band. With a gender-expansive casting vision from Celebration Theatre and director Khanisha Foster thoughtfully imbued into a buoyant score and fascinating story New York Post from the Tony Award-winning authors of FALSETTOS and SPELLING BEE audiences had the unique opportunity to see A NEW BRAIN in Los Angeles as it has never been done before. This production also marked the theatre's entrance as a signatory producer with Actors' Equity Association in a commitment to professional standards for its future stage actors. The production saw 1,450 attendees over 35 performances at the Davidson Valentini Theatre Lily Tomlin Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center at Los Angeles LGBT Center. Critical reception was strong for example: "An exuberant production! A truly engaging piece of theatre! An ensemble of exceptional vocalists! A polished and downright fun version of this truly singular piece. Imaginative staging and inclusive casting make Celebration Theatre's production of this classic piece of LGBTQ theatre feel fresh and vital!" Taylor Kass STAGE RAW. The event included affinity night performances for the transgender nonbinary and stroke survivors communities. Closing out our season was the return of TALES OF THE TRANSCESTORS an interpretive live telling of transgender stories across history. In co-production with Greenway Arts Alliance with grant support in part from California Arts Council and City of West Hollywood the piece engaged 10 artists of TGNC identity and saw 157 attendees over 8 performances at the Greenway Court Theatre. Two performances included talkbacks with cast including moderation from ONE Institute as well as a separate TGNC affinity night performance. During the year volunteer company members were engaged with a series of internal table reads of new plays participation in our annual retreat for board staff and company focused on integrating consent-based practices into creative collaboration plus group social outings and private gatherings to foster camaraderie and belonging for the LGBTQIA+ community.