Long Beach Playhouse

The Long Beach Playhouse, located at 5021 East Anaheim Street in Long Beach, California, is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the western United States. Founded in 1929, it has become a cultural landmark within the city, known for its commitment to presenting quality theatre productions and fostering educational opportunities. With a mission to celebrate the human experience and encourage the participation of both artists and audience members, the Long Beach Playhouse serves a diverse community through its productions and educational programs. The organization's vision is to produce socially significant plays, both classic and contemporary, and to maintain strong educational programs that benefit the community. The Playhouse is also dedicated to cultural equity and inclusion, striving to reflect the diversity of the Long Beach area in its programming, casting, and staffing. It stands against prejudice, discrimination, and harassment, promoting a creative and inclusive environment for patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers. The theater complex houses two distinct performance spaces. The Mainstage Theatre features a thrust stage with horseshoe seating for 200, which allows for an intimate experience with contemporary and classic dramas, comedies, and musicals. The Studio Theater is a 98-seat proscenium stage that hosts experimental, contemporary, and adult-oriented works. It is important to note that the Studio Theatre is located on the second floor and does not have elevator service. Long Beach Playhouse also provides ongoing adult acting workshops, summer youth workshops in acting, vocal music, and dance, a student educational outreach program, internships in costuming, and a New Works Festival featuring stage readings of original plays. Additionally, the Playhouse offers special fundraising performances for non-profit organizations. The Playhouse prides itself on offering quality productions at affordable prices, with approximately 20,000 attendees each year. Both the Mainstage and Studio Theatre are recognized for their high-quality productions and have received awards and critical acclaim throughout Southern California. Season subscriptions are available for both theaters. For convenience, the Playhouse features a 78-slot parking lot at the back of the building and is easily accessible from nearby freeways. It is situated across from the Recreation Park Golf Course, making it a well-positioned venue for local and visiting patrons. The Long Beach Playhouse is a proud recipient of grants from various organizations, further highlighting its significance in the arts community. With a rich history and a forward-looking approach to theater and community engagement, the Long Beach Playhouse continues to be a beacon of cultural enrichment in Long Beach, CA.