About Us

theatre history

About the Road Theatre

For 30 years, The Road Theatre Company has remained committed to our mission to:

  • Present plays not previously available to the Los Angeles public that introduce socially
    and/or politically relevant voices 
    and thoughts to the American stage;

  • Introduce youth, limited-income seniors, and other underserved audiences to the world of theatre through main stage productions, workshops, classes, presentations, and free weekly readings; and

  • Further establish our resident company as a leader and champion of new works in Los Angeles
    and the nation.

In July 1991 a group of dedicated theatre artists and administrators came together to form The Road Theatre Company, a non-profit organization that produces theatre under the Actors’ Equity Association Membership Company Rule. Today, The Road Theatre Company is 173-members strong, and remains diligent in our tradition of investing in new artists, actors, writers, designers, producers and technicians as part of our ensemble company.

We believe it is essential for the health of the American ethos to advance the larger theatrical conversation of our national culture. Through this dialogue we animate and inspire both our artists and audiences with the realization that through art and action we are lifted into the searching of soul, the revelation of humanity, the awareness that we are not alone and the struggle to make sense of our existence on this earth – as it is and as we wish it to be.

Opening production Balm in Gilead

With 84 performances, still The Road’s longest running production to date!

1991
1996
Partnership with DCA

Selected by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs as the resident company for the Historic Lankershim Arts Center in the NoHo Arts District.

Road-developed Visas and Virtue

Adapted into Academy Award-winning short film; The Road was also awarded the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Margaret Harford Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatre that same year.

1998
2006
Company surpasses 100 members

Which has since grown to a company over 170 actors, directors, and designers strong!

First annual Summer Playwrights Festival

Becoming the largest of its kind in the country.

2010
2013
Partnered with EngAGE

To open second venue, a 76-seat theatre within the NoHo Senior Arts Colony.

The Pandemic Years

First livestream: Summer Playwrights Festival 11 reached over 18,000 patrons on six continents.

Produced, filmed, and streamed two fully-staged theatrical productions, including the multi-award winning Reykjavík.

2020-22

The Road is led by Founder and Artistic Director Taylor Gilbert and Artistic Director Sam Anderson. Staff includes Managing Director Barbara Muller Wittmann, Administrator Adrian Centeno, Technical Director Brian Graves, and Project Coordinator at Magnolia, Darryl Johnson.

Artistic Board: Sam Anderson, Adrian Centeno, Taylor Gilbert, Ann Hearn Tobolowsky, Carlyle King, Carlos Lacámara, Tina Carlisi, Taylor Nichols, and Cherish Monique Duke.

Corporate Board: Arianne Neumark, Cara Eisenberg, Ian Ryen, Ian Bryce, Judith Vida-Spence, and Taylor Gilbert.

The Road Theatre Company has produced over 100 mainstage productions, off-Road events, and workshop presentations in its 29-year history. Click here to read more about our past productions.

One of the Road’s founding principles is that involvement in the arts creates stronger communities. This is evident within the community of The Road Theatre itself – a 173-member ensemble of theatre artists who, unlike in many small theatre companies, do not pay dues to belong, but instead donate their time and energy to tasks that keep the company running and further our mission.

Company Members

Why are inclusion, diversity, equity and access important to The Road? We feel it is our duty in these complicated times, when historically institutionalized prejudice and exclusion are rightfully in question, for our Theatre to promote human ingenuity in practice and to contribute to the reservoir of hope for a better tomorrow.

The Road Theatre commits to providing a platform for the authentic representation of an array of identities and human experiences; mindful casting and hiring practices that are diverse, inclusive, and fair; and ensuring that intimate theatre remains accessible to all.

Land Acknowledgement
The Road Theatre Company acknowledges and honors the Chumash, Tongva, and Kizh people whose original stolen land we stand upon. We acknowledge and honor these tribes as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.

We invite you to learn more through these resources:

Nowhere on the Border:
Ovation Recommended!
Best Production of a Play (Intimate Theatre), Ovation Awards
Lead Actor in a Play – Jonathan Nichols as Roberto, Ovation Awards
Lighting Design (Intimate Theatre) – Derrick McDaniel, Ovation Awards

Friends With Guns:
Ovation Recommended!
LA Times Critics Choice
Best Play of the Year – Valley Theatre Awards
Best Director of a Play – Randee Trabitz, Valley Theatre Awards
Nomination – Best Lead Actress – Kate Huffman, Valley Theatre Awards

Death House:
Ovation Recommended!
Nomination – Best Play of the Year – Valley Theatre Awards
Nomination – Best Lead Actor – Sam Anderson, Valley Theatre Awards
Nomination – Best Lead Actor – Chase Cargill, Valley Theatre Awards
Nomination – Best Sound Design – David Marling, Valley Theatre Awards
Nomination – Best Writer of an Original Play – Jason Karasev, Valley Theatre Awards

The Rescued:
Best Stage Manager of a Play or Musical – Maurie Gonzalez, Valley Theatre Awards
Best Production, Ticketholder Awards
Nomination – Best Supporting Actress – Meeghan Holaway, Valley Theatre Awards
Runner Up: Best Ensemble Cast in a Play, Ticketholder Awards
Runner Up: Best Playwright – Julie Marie Myatt, Ticketholder Awards
Nomination – Best Writer of an Original Play – Julie Marie Myatt, Valley Theatre Awards

Red Speedo:
Best Fight Choreography, Bjørn Johnson, Stage Raw Awards

Through the Eye of A Needle:
Ovation Recommended!

A Delicate Ship:
LA Times Critics Choice
Outstanding Production of a Drama – Intimate Theatre, StageSceneLA Scenies
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama – Intimate Theatre, Paris Perrault, StageSceneLA Scenies
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama – Intimate Theatre, Philip Orazio, StageSceneLA Scenies
Outstanding Understudy/Alternate Cast, Allison Blaize, Hunter Garner, and Stephen Tyler Howell, StageSceneLA Scenies
Outstanding Direction of a Drama – Intimate Theatre, Andre Barron, StageSceneLA Scenies

Stupid Kid:
Ovation Recommended!
Winner Best Stage Play – Drama, NoHo Fringe Awards
Winner Best Set Design, Jeff McLaughlin, NoHo Fringe Awards
Winner Best Production, Ticketholder Awards
Winner Best Ensemble Cast in a Play, Ticketholder Awards
Nomination Best Direction Stage Play – Drama, Cameron Watson, NoHo Fringe Awards
Nomination Best Costume Design, Kate Bergh, NoHo Fringe Awards
Nomination Best Actor in a Drama, Joe Hart, Robby Awards
Nomination Sally Kemp Award for Best Actress in a Drama, Taylor Gilbert, Robby Awards
Nomination Best Scenic Design, Jeff McLaughlin, Robby Awards
Nomination Best Fight Choreography, Bjørn Johnson, Stage Raw Awards
Nomination Best Set Design, Jeff McLaughlin, Stage Raw Awards
Nomination Best Leading Male Performance, Joe Hart, Stage Raw Awards
Nomination Best Supporting Male Performance, Rob Nagle, Stage Raw Awards

The Lyons:
Nomination Lu Leonard Award for Best Actress in a Comedy, Judith Scarpone, Robby Awards
Nomination for Albert Lord Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy, James Handy, Robby Awards

White Guy on a Bus:
Ovation Recommended!

The Play About The Baby:
LA Times Critic’s Pick
Stage Raw Top 10

John is a Father:
Ovation Recommended!
LA Times Critic’s Choice
Winner Lead Actor in a Play, Sam Anderson, Ovation Awards
Nomination Playwriting for an Original Play, Julie Marie Myatt, Ovation Awards
Nomination Leading Male Performance, Sam Anderson, Stage Raw Awards

The Road Theatre Company partners with EngAGE to provide performing arts programming at the NoHo Senior Arts Colony. Road company members volunteer as instructors and work with residents who wish to volunteer as front-of-house staff or stagehands for Road productions.

The Road partners with local schools and nonprofit organizations to provide free or discounted tickets, as well as thematic talkback events following shows to engage particular community groups in post-show conversation on various topics.

Click here for more information regarding The Road’s play development, weekly readings, and other free programming available for the community.

Writing Submissions

The Road Theatre Company is dedicated to nurturing new theatrical works. We have two submission opportunities annually:

  1. Submission info for our annual Summer Playwrights Festival can be found here. The Summer Playwrights Festival is a week-long celebration of new works, featuring staged readings, live music, and nightly receptions, held the last week of July each year.

We look forward to reading your work!

Actor & Director Submissions

The Road Company Theatre’s new membership auditions are currently on hiatus.

We encourage you to check back with us in 2022 on ways in which you can be a part of The Road.

The Road Theatre Company is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, registered with the IRS as “The Other Side of the Hill Productions, Inc.” For our EIN number and more financial information, visit Guidestar.org.