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.
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 the return of two executives, Michael Matthews and Michael A. Shepperd, who would share its role of artistic director and become 'co-artistic directors'.[9] In May 2021, the Board of Directors at Celebration Theatre terminated co-artistic director Michael A. Shepperd, following allegations of sexual misconduct which were raised by an actor who had a role in one of Shepperd's productions.[10][11] Following this, Ann James served the theatre as its interim artistic director.[12]
As of September 2023, the artistic director position is held by Brittney S. Wheeler, alongside Nathan Frizzell who is its associate artistic director.[13]
Awards
R. Christofer Sands, 2002
Ovation Award - Lead Actor in a Musical, Pinafore![14]
Play it Cool, 2006 Ovation nomination - World Premiere Musical
Jessica Sheridan, 2006 Ovation nomination - Lead Actress in a Musical, Play it Cool
Louis Durra, 2006 Ovation nomination - Musical Direction, Play it Cool[15]
The Bacchae, 2007 Ovation nomination - Play Production, Intimate Theatre
Beautiful Thing, 2007 Ovation nomination - Play Production, Intimate Theatre
Michael Matthews, 2007 Ovation nomination - Direction of a Play, The Bacchae
Michael Matthews, 2007 Ovation nomination - Direction of a Play, Beautiful Thing
Tim Swiss, 2007 Ovation nomination - Lighting Design, Intimate Theatre, The Bacchae
Jennifer R. Blake, 2010 Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Musical for the role of Susan in [title of show] from StagesceneLA's Best of LA Theatre Awards 2009-2010[18]
Women of Brewster Place, the Musical, 2010 Ovation Award - Best Production of A Musical, Intimate Theatre
Michael Matthews, 2011 Ovation Nomination, Director of a Play Intimate Theatre, Take Me Out
Brian Pugach, 2011 Ovation Nomination, Book for an Original Musical, The Next Fairy Tale
BASH'd! A Gay Rap Opera, 2011 Ovation Nomination, Best Musical Intimate Theatre
Ameenah Kaplan, 2011 Ovation Nomination, Director of a Musical, BASH'd! A Gay Rap Opera
DJ Jedi, 2011 Ovation Nomination, Music Direction, BASH'd! A Gay Rap Opera
2010/2011 Best Season Ovation Nomination
Current season
This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(February 2022)
A New Brain, by William Finn & James Lapine. Directed by Khanisha Foster. April 29, 2023 - June 23, 2023
Past Productions
Indigiqueer Identity: Reclaiming Past, Present, and Future Directed and produced by Carolina Hoyos Original work written and performed by Jean Decay, Samantha Bowling, Honokee Dunn, Carolina Hoyos. December 27 2021 - February 28 2022 [20]
The Boy from Oz, Music and Lyrics by Peter Allen. Book by Martin Sherman and Nick Enright. Directed by Michael A. Shepperd. April 29, 2016
Dream Boy, by Eric Rosen, Based on the novel by Jim Grimsley. Directed by Michael Matthews. January 29, 2016 - March 2016
Bootycandy, by Robert O'Hara, Directed by Michael Matthews, - October 29, 2015 - December, 2015
Stories I Can't Tell Mama, Written and Performed by
Leslie Jordan, January/February 2012
Christmastime is Queer 4 more holiday mirth & mary-ment, December 9, 2011 - December 18, 2011
What's Wrong with Angry?, Written by Patrick Wilde, Directed by Michael Matthews, - September 9, 2011 - Nov 19, 2011
BASH'd! A Gay Rap Opera, Written by Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow, Directed by
Ameenah Kaplan - June 10, 2011 - July 30, 2011
The Next Fairy Tale, Book, Music and Lyrics by Brian Pugach, Directed by Michael A.Shepperd - March 11, 2011 - May 21, 2011