Geffen Playhouse

Geffen Playhouse is a not-for-profit theater company based in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1995 by theater director and UCLA academic Gilbert Cates, the organization operates in a historic building owned by the University of California, Los Angeles. Its name recognizes a $5 million donation from entertainment executive and philanthropist David Geffen, which helped establish the company under its current identity. The Playhouse occupies a building with roots dating to 1929, when it was constructed as the Masonic Affiliates Club, also known as the MAC. Designed by architect Stiles O. Clements, the structure was among the earliest buildings developed in Westwood Village. Before becoming the Geffen Playhouse, the venue was known as the Contempo Theatre and later as the Westwood Playhouse. UCLA purchased the property in 1993, after which Chancellor Charles E. Young appointed Gil Cates as producing director. Cates had founded and previously led UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. The organization presents a regular season across two performance spaces. The larger Gil Cates Theatre seats approximately 500 people and typically hosts five productions per season. The smaller Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre seats approximately 125 people and typically hosts three productions per season. The Playhouse also uses both venues for special events. This two-theater structure allows the organization to present productions at different scales while maintaining a program centered on live theater in an intimate, nonprofit setting. A major redevelopment followed a $5 million lead gift from the David Geffen Foundation in 2002. That contribution formed part of an eventual $17 million capital campaign. The renovation retained the principal 500-seat theater and added the 125-seat Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre. The renovated complex reopened on November 16, 2005. In 2010, the larger theater was renamed the Gil Cates Theatre in honor of the company's founding producing director. Cates died in October 2011. Leadership has continued to evolve since the company's founding. Gil Cates Jr. became executive director in 2015. Matt Shakman was appointed artistic director in 2017, and Tarell Alvin McCraney succeeded him in that role in 2023. Through its seasons and special events, Geffen Playhouse functions as both a producing theater and a cultural institution associated with UCLA and Los Angeles's broader performing-arts community.

The building now occupied by Geffen Playhouse was constructed in 1929 as the Masonic Affiliates Club, or MAC, serving students and alumni associated with UCLA. It was designed by architect Stiles O. Clements and was one of the first twelve structures built in Westwood Village. The site also contains a historic courtyard fountain associated with Malibu Potteries. Decorative patterns from the fountain correspond to architectural details at Adamson House in Malibu, including elements around its dining room and a Moorish-arch window. The venue's theatrical identity changed over time. It was initially known as the Contempo Theatre and later became the Westwood Playhouse. UCLA acquired the property in 1993. Charles E. Young, then UCLA's chancellor, appointed Gilbert Cates as producing director. Cates had founded and previously served as president of UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television, giving the venue a leadership connection to the university's theater and film programs. Cates established the Geffen Playhouse as a not-for-profit theater company in Los Angeles in 1995. The organization was named for David Geffen after Geffen donated $5 million. The gift provided important support during the company's formation and linked the theater's identity to one of Los Angeles's prominent entertainment philanthropists. Although the company bears the Geffen name, the property remained owned by UCLA. The institution later undertook a substantial renovation. In 2002, the David Geffen Foundation provided a $5 million lead gift toward a larger capital campaign whose eventual target was $17 million. The project preserved the principal 500-seat theater while adding a second, smaller 125-seat auditorium named the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre. The renovated complex reopened on November 16, 2005. The larger auditorium was initially identified as the Geffen Theater, distinguishing it from the newly created second venue. In March 2010, the company's board changed the name of the larger auditorium to the Gil Cates Theater. The decision recognized Cates's role in establishing and developing the institution. Cates died in October 2011. In 2015, Gil Cates Jr. became executive director, continuing the Cates family's association with the theater's administration. The company's artistic leadership subsequently changed. Matt Shakman was appointed artistic director in August 2017. Tarell Alvin McCraney became artistic director in September 2023. The Playhouse's regular operating model consists of five plays per season in the Gil Cates Theatre and three plays per season in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre, supplemented by special events in both spaces. This structure makes Geffen Playhouse a nonprofit producing organization with a substantial main stage and an intimate secondary venue, serving audiences in Los Angeles while operating from a UCLA-owned historic property.

• 2023

  Tarell Alvin McCraney appointed artistic director

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Tarell Alvin McCraney succeeded Matt Shakman as artistic director.

• 2017

  Matt Shakman appointed artistic director

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Matt Shakman began serving as artistic director.

• 2015

  New executive director

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Gil Cates Jr. was appointed executive director.

• 2010

  Main auditorium renamed

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  The board renamed the larger auditorium the Gil Cates Theater in recognition of the founding producing director.

• 2005

  Renovated theater complex reopens

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  The renovated complex reopened on November 16 with the original 500-seat theater retained and the 125-seat Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre added.

• 2002

  Capital campaign receives lead gift

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  The David Geffen Foundation made a $5 million lead contribution toward a capital campaign that ultimately totaled $17 million.

• 1995

  Geffen Playhouse founded

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Gilbert Cates founded the not-for-profit theater company in Los Angeles, and the venue adopted the Geffen Playhouse name following David Geffen's donation.

• 1993

  UCLA acquires the property

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  The University of California, Los Angeles purchased the Westwood property, which later became the home of Geffen Playhouse.

• 1929

  Original building constructed

  [1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  The building was constructed as the Masonic Affiliates Club, also known as the MAC, for UCLA students and alumni. It was designed by Stiles O. Clements.

A nonprofit Los Angeles theater company focused on producing live plays and related events in two professionally operated venues.

• Theater season · 1995

  Gil Cates Theatre productions

  The larger auditorium, formerly known as the Geffen Theater, seats approximately 500 people. Geffen Playhouse typically presents five plays per season in this venue, making it the company's principal large-scale performance space. It was renamed in 2010 to honor founding producing director Gilbert Cates.

• Theater season · 2005

  Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre productions

  The 125-seat Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre was added during the renovation completed in 2005. Its smaller scale supports more intimate theatrical presentations. Geffen Playhouse typically schedules three plays per season in the venue and also uses the theater for special events.

• Cultural events · 1995

  Special events

  In addition to its regular play seasons, Geffen Playhouse produces special events in both of its theaters. These events extend the organization's programming beyond its recurring theatrical productions.

• 2002Geffen Playhouse capital campaign

  United States

  The David Geffen Foundation provided a $5 million lead gift toward an eventual $17 million campaign to renovate the theater complex and expand its performance capacity.

  Outcome. The renovation preserved the 500-seat main theater and added the 125-seat Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre. The completed complex reopened in 2005.

  Source

• 2010

  Renaming of the main auditoriumOther

  Background

  The company's board sought to recognize Gilbert Cates, the founder and producing director who shaped the institution.

  Action taken

  The board changed the name of the larger Geffen Theater to the Gil Cates Theater.

  Aftermath

  The principal auditorium continued operating under the Gil Cates name after Cates's death in 2011.

  Source

• 2002

  Launch of theater renovation and expansionStrategy

  Background

  The organization sought to improve its facilities and expand programming capacity through a major capital campaign.

  Action taken

  The David Geffen Foundation made a $5 million lead gift toward a campaign that ultimately reached $17 million.

  Aftermath

  The project produced a renovated complex with the existing 500-seat auditorium and a new 125-seat theater, which reopened in 2005.

  Capital campaign. $17 million campaign total (2002 campaign; completed before the November 16, 2005 reopening)

  Source

• 1995

  Establishment as a not-for-profit theater companyStrategy

  Background

  After UCLA acquired the property in 1993, the institution developed under the leadership of Gilbert Cates and adopted a nonprofit producing-theater model.

  Action taken

  The company was founded in Los Angeles and named Geffen Playhouse following David Geffen's $5 million donation.

  Aftermath

  The organization became a distinct Los Angeles theater company operating from a UCLA-owned property.

  Source

• 2023

  Tarell Alvin McCraney appointed artistic director[1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Tarell Alvin McCraney succeeded Matt Shakman as artistic director.

• 2017

  Matt Shakman appointed artistic director[1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Matt Shakman was appointed artistic director of the theater company.

• 2015

  Gil Cates Jr. appointed executive director[1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Gil Cates Jr. was appointed executive director of Geffen Playhouse.

• 2010

  Main theater renamed the Gil Cates Theater[1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The board renamed the larger Geffen Theater in honor of founding producing director Gil Cates.

• 2005

  Geffen Playhouse reopened after major renovation[1]Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Other · Product generation

  The theater complex reopened on November 16 after a capital redevelopment that retained the main auditorium and added the 125-seat Audrey Skirball Kenis Theatre.

1. 1Geffen Playhouseen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Geffen Playhouse official websitegeffenplayhouse.org