Operator Geffen Playhouse Inc. Opened 1970s Rebuilt 2005 Phone +1 310-208-2028 | Type Regional theater Reopened 1995 Capacity 610 | |
 | ||
Owner UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Address 10886 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA Similar Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art - Los A, Pantages Theatre, Hammer Museum Profiles | ||
Backstage at the geffen playhouse
The Geffen Playhouse (or the Geffen) is a not-for-profit theater company producing in two venues—both owned by University of California Los Angeles. The Playhouse is located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
Contents
Opening night at geffen playhouse barbecue west coast premiere
Architecture
The Geffen Playhouse was built in 1929 as the Masonic Affiliates Club, or the MAC, for students and alumni at UCLA. One of the first 12 structures built in Westwood Village, it was designed by architect Stiles O. Clements.
History
Originally named the Westwood Playhouse, the property was purchased by UCLA in 1993. UCLA's then chancellor, Charles E. Young, appointed Gil Cates, founder and former president of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, as its producing director. The theater was renamed in 1995 after media mogul David Geffen donated $5 million, one of the largest philanthropic donations ever made to an already constructed theater.
In 2002, the David Geffen Foundation made a $5-million lead gift towards an eventual $17-million capital campaign to renovate the theater. The renovation gutted the theater while keeping its historical character. The Geffen reopened on November 16, 2005 with the main 500 seat theater retained and a new 125-seat Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater added. In March 2010, the Playhouse's board of directors named the mainstage the Gil Cates Theater.
The Geffen Playhouse offers five plays per season in the Gil Cates Theater and three plays per season in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, as well as producing special events in both venues. The Playhouse is known for performances by film and television actors, including Jason Alexander, Debbie Allen, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Dana Delany, Roma Downey, Peter Falk, Neil Patrick Harris, David Hyde-Pierce, Carrie Fisher, Rebecca Pidgeon, George Segal, Martin Short, Alicia Silverstone, Rita Wilson, and James Van Der Beek.