Geffen Playhouse

Production and theater mission and history statement - the Geffen Playhouse seeks to be an extraordinary theater for its community and the nation by consistently delivering productions of the highest caliber. The mission of the Geffen Playhouse is to enrich the cultural life of great los angeles and the ucla community through plays and educational programs that inform, entertain and inspire others to help meet its mission. The Geffen fosters an active relationship with the los angeles entertainment and offers a supportive, inviting environment for artists and theater professionals. Launched in 1994, the Geffen Playhouse blossomed from a westside presenting house to a nationally recognized arts institution. Under the leadership of gil cates, the Geffen has grown into a vibrant cultural landmark on the westside of los angeles. Noted for its intimacy and celebrated for its world-renowned mix of classic and contemporary plays, provocative new works and second productions, the company has presented a repertoire of award-winning productions that have earned critical acclaim and international attention. The Geffen has produced american and world premieres of some of the most challenging work on the contemporary stage. Honored with more than 40 regional theater awards, the Playhouse is also a proud recipient of grants from the edgerton new american play foundation and the steinberg charitable trust, enabling the theater to continue contributing to the cultural canon by commissioning new works. In 2004, the Geffen broke ground for its $17.5 million capital campaign to renovate and expand the main auditorium, construct the audrey skirball kenis theater, an intimate 120-seat addition that serves as a second state. Some of the renovations included reconfiguring of the main stage, installation of an elevator, state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, expanded dressing rooms and green room for artists, and expanded office space to support the growth of the company. The new seating plan increases comfort and improves sight lines. Stairs leading to the main stage auditorium were eliminated to increase accessibility. The audrey skirball kenis theater at the Geffen Playhouse gives our theater the rich opportunity to present new plays, develop original and experimental productions, and expand our educational outreach programs. The Geffen Playhouse welcomes an audience of more than 130,000 each year.

Education and outreach programs see mission & history statement on line 4a.