Harold Pinter, playwright, actor and political activist, dies aged 78.

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Merry Christmas.

Click below to hear Mr. Pinter's Noble Prize acceptance speech.

Art, Truth & Politics

Scrooge Must Die!

Only 10 Shows Left!

Here it is. That dirty something for the holidays. Come check out Actors' Gang retelling of Charles Dickens' classic tale A Christmas Carol. The play tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge—the misanthropic, greedy, f---ing prick. With the current administration on the way out these kind of jerks are all over the place- in politics, in business, in our own families, and even in ourselves. Especially in ourselves. We all have inside of us a little version of Scrooge. If you haven't already busted a liver from holiday partying come bust a gut down at the theatre. And don't bring the little ones. This is not Scrooge McDuck it is more like Scrooge McDick. Check out the video on our youtube channel before you buy your tickets so you cant say we didn't warn you...

Members of The Actors' Gang explored the subject of racism in America through an original workshop production titled "I'm not a racist, but..." It was conceived and directed by longtime company member Cynthia Ettinger. The goal of this workshop was to develop the play for future audiences and to engage those who saw it in dynamic conversations about the larger issue of separatism. The workshop was presented in October and November - right through the election. In this politically charged environment audiences were hooked by the immediacy of the work . Both the historical significance of the presidential the election and the closed mindedness surrounding Proposition 8 worked their way into the piece. “I’m not a racist, but…” achieved it's goal and got people talking after every show. This is our community.

The Actors’ Gang is a place that embraces civility, tolerance, and humility. It is no surprise that both theatre and democracy were invented at the same moment in time in ancient Greece. This play was created through empathy: the act of walking in someone else’s shoes. Democracy is created the same way. Politicians walk in our shoes; they represent us. That is what we are doing at the theater. That is what we voted for November 4th. That is what change is all about. To find out more about the future development of this show please join the facebook group "I'm not a racist, but..." @ the Actors' Gang

Bury the Dead Extended

This summer Matt Huffman directed a huge cast in "Bury the Dead" by Irwin Shaw. This play was on the mind of the the Actors Gang since last fall when we had a reading and workshops within the company. This time around the show extended two weeks beyond its slotted run largely due to the positive reviews. Click here to check out what our friends at flavorpill had to say. Or you can read the full Los Angeles Times “Critic’s Choice” review here. "At a time when the U.S. is still reeling from the effects of its wars in Vietnam and Iraq, Shaw’s play possesses a raw power, but it never lets us forget that it’s delivering a message... Matthew Huffman’s somber production is terrific, and so is his cast." "Go" LA Weekly.

King O'Leary cast photo
photo by Kim Zsebe

King O'Leary: Opening Weekend!

Our third annual children's shakespeare show has arrived! King O'Leary, a hilarious adaptation of the Bard's tragedy, King Lear, just opened this last weekened. All shows are completely free and are performed in the park right next to our theatre in Culver City.

I won't give too much away, except to say that the story is now set in the old wild west gold mining community of Boomtown. The characters and plot stay true to the classic play while putting a comedic twist on the story. The kids loved it, and the adults laughed their heads off, too. Check it out! ... and watch out for the buffalo.

Finally, we'd like to extend a special thanks to the James Irvine Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, Sony Pictures, The Culver City Redevelopment Agency, and The City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs for making this free program possible.

King O'Leary

As we make the final preparations for the opening of our free park offering this year, I thought I would share a video compilation of last year's piece, "Titus the Clownicus." Enjoy!

If you want to see this year's play, "King O'Leary," it will be running every Saturday and Sunday at 11am starting this Saturday, August 9, in Media Park and closing August 31. Bring the whole family and share in the fun!