Pasadena Playhouse

The Pasadena Playhouse, located at 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California, is a historic institution in American theater with a rich legacy of theatrical innovation and education. Founded in 1917 by theater impresario Gilmor Brown, the Playhouse began in a shared space with a burlesque house and quickly grew into one of the largest theater complexes in the world. With a campus that once included five stages, a scene shop, and a college, the Playhouse became internationally recognized for its bold productions and significant contributions to the arts.\n\nIn 1925, the Playhouse opened its landmark theater to national acclaim. By 1937, the California state legislature had designated it the official state theater of California, a testament to its cultural importance and the impact of its productions, which included the entire Shakespeare canon—a feat unmatched by any other American theater at the time.\n\nThe Playhouse earned the nickname \"Star Factory\" due to the numerous celebrities who launched their careers on its stages during its golden era from 1920 to 1945. It was a hub for talent discovery, with major film studios sending scouts to its productions. The Playhouse also pioneered techniques in radio and early television, including establishing the first west coast T.V. station.\n\nEducation played a central role at the Playhouse, with the establishment of the Playhouse School of Theatre Arts in 1927, later known as the College of Theatre Arts. The college was highly regarded, second only to Julliard, and offered comprehensive training in acting, directing, stage technology, playwriting, and theater administration. It was one of the first schools in the nation to offer classes in stage, screen, radio, and television.\n\nHowever, the Playhouse faced challenges following the death of its founder Gilmor Brown in 1960. A lack of leadership and competition from other theaters led to a decline in patronage and student enrollment. The Playhouse college closed in 1969, the same year the theater itself was shuttered and declared bankruptcy. Yet, thanks to preservationists, the theater's extensive archives were saved and are now housed at the Huntington Library.\n\nThe theater remained dark for 16 years until it was reopened in 1986 as a non-for-profit LORT B theater, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Pasadena Playhouse and entrepreneur David Houk. The Playhouse experienced a resurgence, with a focus on diverse content and casting, new musicals, and educational programs under the direction of Sheldon Epps, who served as artistic director from 1997 to 2017.\n\nThe Playhouse has continued to produce successful shows, some of which have gone on to Broadway, and has engaged in community outreach and arts education. It has also been known for its co-productions with other theater companies, contributing to its reputation for innovative and diverse programming.\n\nAs the Pasadena Playhouse celebrated its centennial in 2017, it looked forward to a new era of leadership under Danny Feldman and a vision that includes groundbreaking theatrical experiences and community engagement. The Playhouse has been a significant cultural institution, commissioning over 550 new works, producing more than 1,200 shows, and impacting the lives of countless students, volunteers, and audience members.\n\nThe Playhouse is supported by a dedicated team of professionals and a Board of Trustees, along with various volunteer groups such as the Friends of the Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse Alumni & Associates, and the Ambassadors of Pasadena Playhouse. It continues to offer opportunities for community involvement, employment, and facility rentals for a variety of events.