Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

What's Your Role?

Center Theatre Group — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 12:56:00 -0800

The Fringe @ Center Theatre Group Visits 'Chavez Ravine'

Center Theatre Group — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 10:43:00 -0800

Their night began with the remixed, relived and reloaded Culture Clash show that originally premiered at the Mark Taper Forum nearly 12 years ago.

As the show let out, the lights dimmed in the Kirk Douglas Theatre lobby, music played over the speakers, and The Fringe knew they were in for a fun evening. Guests enjoyed a mix of ballpark snacks, including Dodger Dogs, nachos and churros all served from pushcarts that gave the post-show mixer a lively ballpark feel. As they mingled and caught up with one another, guests also enjoyed a signature vodka cocktail — aptly named The Curveball — courtesy of Ketel One Vodka. The cast and band joined the party and mixed with the young crowd that came to support their show.

Final score: a great time was had by all.

The Fringe (now the Young Producers Circle) is a group of young professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s who love theatre and believe in its importance in Los Angeles. With an annual tax-deductible membership starting at just $35, Fringe members attend mixers throughout the season, enjoy discounts on performance tickets, and network at behind-the-scenes events. For more information about becoming a Fringe member, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org/Fringe or call 213.972.7276.

CTG elects first Latina president of the board

James Sims — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 10:19:00 -0800

CTG elects first Latina president of the board

The Board of Directors for Center Theatre Group elected Kiki Ramos Gindler as President of the Board at its meeting on February 12. With this appointment, Gindler becomes the organization's first Latina president as well as The Music Center's first Latina board leader. Gindler will succeed William H. Ahmanson, who assumes the position of chairman of the board.

"Kiki shares my passion for live theatre and the power that it has to change lives and build communities," said Michael Ritchie, Center Theatre Group Artistic Director. "Her belief in CTG — coupled with her corporate, legal and philanthropic experience — will be an incredible asset to us. I am excited to see her skills help us move the organization forward."

Over the years, Gindler has channeled her passion for the arts and commitment to philanthropy by actively working with several local and national non-profit organizations. She currently serves as a member of the National Council for the American Theatre, an affiliate of Theatre Communications Group. She also serves as a member of The Blue Ribbon, the premier women's support organization of The Music Center.

Along with her husband, David Gindler, she supports many other non-profit performing arts organizations, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera, The Antaeus Company, The Blank Theatre, the Ojai Music Festival, the Ojai Playwrights Festival and Beth Morrison Projects. Gindler previously served as a board member for the Women's Refugee Commission and as a trustee for the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts.

Gindler, who earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, began her career at Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, where she specialized in finance, intellectual property, leveraged buyouts, and mergers and acquisitions. She was also a legal and business affairs executive for the theatrical motion picture department of Columbia Pictures, and for Rysher Entertainment.

Throughout her career, Gindler has advocated for laws, policies and programs that helped disadvantaged populations. In recognition of her work to establish low-income housing for women and children, Gindler received the State Bar of California Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Services.

Gindler now devotes her time to writing, civic affairs and supporting non-profit performing arts. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and resides in Hancock Park.

Center Theatre Group is the non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that supports the Mark Taper Forum, the Ahmanson Theatre, the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, and a significant number of play development and arts education initiatives in Southern California. The mission of Center Theatre Group is to provide theatre of the highest caliber to the rich, diverse communities of Southern California.

Meet Center Theatre Group's Spring Interns

Center Theatre Group — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 00:07:00 -0800

Amy Borsuk
Literary Fellow

School: Scripps College
Major: English, will pursue a master's degree in Theatre/Performance studies beginning in September 2015
Hometown: Sherman Oaks, CA

I am a L.A.-raised, London-bound Shakespearean scholar and dramatist with a feminist drive for inclusive, accessible, innovative theatre.

George Brietigam
Development Special Initiatives Intern

School: California State University, Long Beach
Major: Theatre Arts and Political Science
Hometown: Garden Grove, CA

Trying to think of a single sentence to describe myself actually helped me make sense of my life.

Dinah Chen
Graduate Scholar: Digital Curation

School: Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, USC
Major: Communication Management
Hometown: Shanghai, China

I am a realistic dreamer who endeavors to blend cool technologies into hot artistic fantasies.

Candice Clasby
Producing Intern

School: California State University, Los Angeles
Major: Television, Film, and Theatre, Production and Directing

My place is in the theatre, whether it is performing onstage or working to bring a piece of theatre to fruition as director/choreographer or producer, or teaching a younger generation to find their own voices; I find I am happiest when I can be a part of the process of something new and exciting!

Kallie Downing
Content Marketing Intern

School: Azusa Pacific University
Major: Marketing with Theatre Arts Minor
Hometown: Whittier, CA

I am a Los Angeles native in my final semester of college and am beyond honored to have the opportunity to grow in my craft as I help promote Center Theatre Group as the Content Marketing Intern.

Benita Elliott
Costume Intern

School: Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy
Major: Costume Design
Hometown: Washington, D.C.

I am very lucky to have grown up in a home where my mother immersed me and my sisters at young ages to the joy and splendor of live theatre and the arts.

Ron Gibson
Information Systems Intern

School: Los Angeles City College
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

I am a self-starter with a strong work ethic and a team mentality.

Marlene Grajeda
Community Partnerships Intern

School: East Los Angeles Community College
Major: Technical Theatre
Hometown: Boyle Heights, CA

I am a theatre student who strives in the world behind the curtain.

Gabrielle Gutierrez
Kirk Douglas Theatre Front-of-House Intern

School: Cerritos College
Major: Theatre Arts
Hometown: Montebello, CA

Theatre is essential to who I am; I want to share the joy and change that theatre has brought to me with everyone.

Juan Jimenez
Human Resources Intern

School: California State University, Fullerton
Major: Business Administration Human Resources Management
Hometown: Bell Gardens, CA

I am an encouraging team player who enjoys working with others to achieve and set new goals.

Annamarie Mayer
Account Sales Intern

School: California State University, Fullerton
Major: Business, Entertainment and Tourism Management
Hometown: Fullerton, CA

I am excited for this opportunity to combine my lifelong love for theatre and my business skills here at Center Theatre Group!

Hailey Moran
August Wilson In-School Residency Intern

School: Occidental College
Major: Theatre
Hometown: San Fernando Valley, CA

I am looking to gain a better understanding of the functionality of theatre education programs and the impact they have on students and communities as a whole. I plan to involve this internship in my senior research project on social justice theatre.

Brandon Nease
Education and Community Partnerships Intern

School: Chapman University
Major: Theatre performance and Integrated Educational Studies
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA

I am a Star Wars nerd with a passion for sharing knowledge with others.

Monica Salas
Artistic Development: Community As Creators Intern

School: California State University, Fullerton
Major: Geography and Women's Studies
Hometown: Norwalk, CA

I enjoy traveling and listening to podcasts.

Robert Wagner
Ticket Operations Intern

School: California State University, Fullerton
Major: English
Hometown: Cypress, CA

I am just someone hoping for a great career that involves helping people see other worlds through the creativity of others.

Meet August Wilson Program Alumnus Pablo Lopez

Center Theatre Group — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 11:20:00 -0800

Meet Pablo Lopez | 2013 National Finalist

WHERE HE IS NOW

I am currently in Los Angeles auditioning for drama schools in New York City and on the West Coast. In taking time to transition from being a student at the University of California, Davis to attending art school this coming fall, I have gained valuable perspective. I’m spending this interim period interning at the California State Summer School for the Arts Foundation, attending performances, reading countless plays and books, but most of all finding inspiration from friends and family.

BIGGEST TAKEAWAY

For the first time, I learned of the intimate relationship between music/rhythm and dramatic performance. Learning in the master class and researching August Wilson’s source of inspiration, I found a deep love for ancient rhythms that survived Western expansion. I take this passion with me in devising new dramatic pieces of my own.

ADVICE FOR REGIONAL FINALISTS

Congratulations! There is so much joy and life with Center Theatre Group Education and Community Partnerships staff, and I hope you are electrified by this experience. Trust Wilson’s words. Here is one of my favorite quotes for performance from Basil King: “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”

THOUGHTS ON AUGUST WILSON

To August Wilson, America is much more than an extension of Europe. It is a land of color. He believes that your African roots are something to take pride in, to draw strength from, and reclaiming them means rejecting centuries of dehumanization and abject poverty.

Center Theatre Group News & Blogs

What's Your Role?

The Fringe @ Center Theatre Group Visits 'Chavez Ravine'

CTG elects first Latina president of the board

CTG elects first Latina president of the board

Meet Center Theatre Group's Spring Interns

Amy Borsuk Literary Fellow

George Brietigam Development Special Initiatives Intern

Dinah Chen Graduate Scholar: Digital Curation

Candice Clasby Producing Intern

Kallie Downing Content Marketing Intern

Benita Elliott Costume Intern

Ron Gibson Information Systems Intern

Marlene Grajeda Community Partnerships Intern

Gabrielle Gutierrez Kirk Douglas Theatre Front-of-House Intern

Juan Jimenez Human Resources Intern

Annamarie Mayer Account Sales Intern

Hailey Moran August Wilson In-School Residency Intern

Brandon Nease Education and Community Partnerships Intern

Monica Salas Artistic Development: Community As Creators Intern

Robert Wagner Ticket Operations Intern

Meet August Wilson Program Alumnus Pablo Lopez

Meet Pablo Lopez | 2013 National Finalist WHERE HE IS NOW

BIGGEST TAKEAWAY

ADVICE FOR REGIONAL FINALISTS

THOUGHTS ON AUGUST WILSON

Amy Borsuk
Literary Fellow

George Brietigam
Development Special Initiatives Intern

Dinah Chen
Graduate Scholar: Digital Curation

Candice Clasby
Producing Intern

Kallie Downing
Content Marketing Intern

Benita Elliott
Costume Intern

Ron Gibson
Information Systems Intern

Marlene Grajeda
Community Partnerships Intern

Gabrielle Gutierrez
Kirk Douglas Theatre Front-of-House Intern

Juan Jimenez
Human Resources Intern

Annamarie Mayer
Account Sales Intern

Hailey Moran
August Wilson In-School Residency Intern

Brandon Nease
Education and Community Partnerships Intern

Monica Salas
Artistic Development: Community As Creators Intern

Robert Wagner
Ticket Operations Intern

Meet Pablo Lopez | 2013 National Finalist

WHERE HE IS NOW