Open Fist Theatre Company Explained

The Open Fist Theatre is both a 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre company. Originally operating a 99-seat theatre facility in Theatre Row Hollywood located at 6209 Santa Monica Blvd, it is now in residence at the Atwater Village Theatre. The name of the Open Fist Theatre Company comes from two principles: the notion of an open spirit and the fist - a sign of determination and force.

The OFTC was founded in 1990 by Ziad Hamzeh (Artistic Director), Helena Cullen-hamzeh, Michael Denney (Actor/Playwright/Teacher), Tim Pulice (Actor), Brian Muir (Actor) and Kathleen Dunn (Actor/Teacher), all of whom were graduates of the Theater Program of California State University, Fullerton.,[1] Martha Demson has been the company's artistic director for 20 years, taking on the role in 2000.[2] [3] Originally the company was based at 1625 North La Brea [4] in a rehearsal hall once owned by Bob Hope. In 2005 this facility was destroyed to accommodate Hollywood redevelopment and the company moved to 6209 Santa Monica Boulevard - a facility originally operated by the Actors Gang.[5] The Open Fist is notable for its support of both new works and new interpretations of theatre classics in productions typically featuring contemporary production values, ensemble acting, and imaginative direction and design.

It has been the site of numerous premiere productions of then-new plays, including Frank Zappa's rock opera Joe's Garage, The Room by Michael Franco, Love Water by Jacqueline Wright, Neil Labute's The New Testament, and Julie Hébert's St. Joan and the Dancing Sickness.

A yearly summer Director's Festival or First Look Festival also features membership-driven new work. The Open Fist has been nominated and received numerous LA Weekly, Ovation, Garland and other awards.

Production history

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Awards and nominations

AwardsProductionNominationsWinsNotes
Travesties10
deLEARious20
Joe's Garage40
Light Up The Sky10

Current and past affiliated artists

References

  1. News: Neil Simon's Musical Fools Reopens For A Limited Engagement . Tara . Finley . . 2020-01-15 . 2020-03-21.
  2. Web site: History . Open Fist Theatre Company . 2016 . 2020-03-21.
  3. News: Review: Neil Simon's MUSICAL FOOLS is a Monty Python Version of Fiddler on the Roof Performed by the Original Not Ready for Prime Time Players . Shari . Barrett . . 2019-11-19 . 2020-03-21.
  4. Web site: Home . openfist.org.
  5. Web site: Open Fist Theatre - Hollywood - L.A. - LA Weekly . www.laweekly.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080913211519/http://www.laweekly.com/locations/open-fist-theatre-115421/ . 2008-09-13.

External links

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