The UCLA Little Theater: A Legacy of Performance and Education
The UCLA Little Theater stands as a testament to the university's commitment to fostering theatrical arts. From its humble beginnings as English Department classes to its current status as a dynamic performance and educational hub, the theater has played a vital role in shaping the landscape of theater, film, and television education at UCLA.
Origins and Development
The seeds of the UCLA Little Theater were sown in 1941 when the study of drama first appeared on the UCLA campus as English Department classes in the College of Applied Arts. These courses provided fundamentals in public speaking, dramatic reading, set design, and play production, laying the groundwork for a dedicated theater program.
In 1947, the Theater Arts Department was officially established, with film producer Kenneth Macgowan, known for his work on "Little Women" (1933) and "Becky Sharp" (1935), serving as its first chair. This marked a significant step in the formal recognition and development of theater arts at UCLA.
Initially, for its first two years the department offered undergraduate study across three divisions: Theater, Motion Pictures and Radio. Developed in cooperation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the four major radio broadcasting networks in Hollywood, and the Associated Committee on Television, this arrangement marked the first time a leading university had brought together these distinct subjects under a single administration.
In 1960, the department became part of the UCLA College of Fine Arts, with Melnitz as its founding dean. Melnitz spearheaded the building plan that enabled the College of Fine Arts to grow quickly in stature and create new facilities. In 1963, Theater took up residence in Macgowan Hall, solidifying its presence on campus.
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Key Figures and Their Contributions
Several individuals have played pivotal roles in the history and development of the UCLA Little Theater and the broader Theater Arts Department.
Kenneth Macgowan: As the first chair of the Theater Arts Department, Macgowan was instrumental in establishing the program's foundation and shaping its early direction.
Ralph Freud: Dedicated in 1969 to founder Ralph Freud, the UCLA Little Theater owes much to his vision and dedication. Before joining UCLA, Freud was a stage actor and director at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, where he played over 200 roles and directed more than 40 productions. He joined UCLA in 1938 as a lecturer for theater courses in the English Department and was actively involved in creating a separate Theater Arts Department.
Eddie Hearn: A founding member of the UCLA Theater Arts Department, Hearn was largely responsible for the UCLA Macgowan Hall production facilities. He retired from UCLA (1978) and began designing or consulting on theaters around the world and was responsible for the continental seating concept installed at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion in Los Angeles.
Gil Cates: As Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT), Cates recognized the need for a stronger connection between the university and the professional theater world. His advocacy led to the partnership with the Geffen Playhouse, enhancing academic opportunities for UCLA students.
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Facilities and Resources
The UCLA Little Theater is complemented by a range of facilities and resources that support its educational and performance activities.
Macgowan Hall: In 1963, Theater took up residence in Macgowan Hall. Macgowan Hall houses the UCLA Little Theater, providing a dedicated space for performances and theatrical productions.
Studio Theater 1340: This flexible, black box theater space can be used as a rehearsal hall or for more intimate theatrical productions.
Darren Star Screening Room: Located in Melnitz Hall, this state-of-the-art 50-seat facility is used for film and television studies, screenings, and industry events. Opened in January 2015 through a donation from Darren Star, it features advanced projection and sound systems, including DCP/HD, Dolby 3D, Dolby Surround 7.1, and 35mm film projectors. The room also has high-definition video teleconferencing, linking it to the James Bridges Theater for various events.
UCLA Film and Television Archive: Established in 1968, this archive preserves and restores film materials for research and educational purposes. It merged with the ATAS/UCLA Television Library in 1976, becoming the UCLA Film and Television Archive. In the United States, it is the second largest moving image archive after the Library of Congress.
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University Archives: Housed in UCLA Library Special Collections, these archives contain materials related to the history of the Theater Department, including correspondence, photographs, and production materials.
Performances and Visiting Companies
The UCLA Little Theater has served as a venue for a wide array of performances, hosting both student productions and renowned international theater companies. Constructed in 1962 and dedicated to founder Ralph Freud in 1969, it offers a dynamic learning and performance space for students, faculty, staff, and international theater companies. The venue has hosted renowned companies like Disney, The Wooster Group, and The Royal Court Theatre.
Academic Programs and Curriculum
The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television offers a comprehensive range of academic programs designed to prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry.
The school expanded its curriculum to include a wider range of topics and specializations. This expansion allowed the school to better serve the needs of a changing entertainment industry. The Producers Program was established in 1984, which provided specialized training for students interested in careers as creative producers and executives. It is now ranked among the top graduate producer training programs in the country. The study of digital media was also added during this period.
Partnership with the Geffen Playhouse
In the early 1990s, Dean Gil Cates spearheaded a partnership with the Westwood Playhouse (now the Geffen Playhouse) to create a new non-profit professional theater company. The goal was to enrich the cultural life of Greater Los Angeles and the UCLA community through plays and educational programs that inform, entertain and inspire. Members of the UCLA community would sit on the board to ensure that the university remained represented in all important decisions. Today, UCLA still leases the building to Geffen Playhouse as a non-profit and affiliated organization. The university’s vision of enhancing academics through the creation of the Geffen is realized almost every season at the Geffen Playhouse through countless internships, residencies and workshops at the theater.
Navigating the Venue: A Visitor's Guide
For those planning to attend events at the UCLA Little Theater, the following information may be helpful:
- Location: Macgowan Hall, 245 Charles E. Young Dr.
- Parking: From Hilgard Avenue enter the east side of campus at Wyton Drive. Make an immediate right turn onto Charles E. Young Dr. East, and signs will direct you to parking structure 3.
- Walking directions from structure 3: From the ground level of structure 3, enter the underpass (or from the street level, cross Charles E. Young Dr. North and proceed down steps). Walk straight alongside Melnitz Hall and Macgowan Hall.
- Parking Options:
- Prepurchase a Bruin ePermit online: Visit the Bruin ePermit Portal online and scroll down to expand UCLA Little Theater. Select your desired event and follow the prompts to purchase parking.
- Payment kiosk in structure 3: Buy your parking permit at the payment kiosk located in structure 3. Have your license plate number and a credit card available.
- Use the ParkMobile app: Install the ParkMobile app on your phone and purchase your parking on the day of the event from your smartphone. Enter zone number 2552 (this event code will be valid for parking three hours prior to the event).
- Accessibility: Accessible seating is available at all campus venues. Please indicate specific seating needs when placing your order. In addition to wheelchair spaces, our venues are equipped with select aisle seats that have folding armrests to make transfer easier for those with mobility limitations. For accessible seating, please request a transfer seat. Accessible parking spaces in structure 3 are located on level 4. UCLA Little Theater is also equipped with an assistive listening system. To check out a headset, please provide any member of the house staff with your driver license.
- Late Seating: There is no late seating for performances at our venues, unless specifically authorized by individual artists in advance of the performance. In that event, late seating will occur only at a suitable time, at the discretion of the house staff. Latecomers may not be seated in their assigned seats to avoid disruption or distractions during the performance. Refunds on parking and tickets for latecomers will not be accommodated. No advance notice will be provided for any deviation from the late-seating policy, so all ticket holders are advised to arrive fifteen to twenty minutes before curtain.
- Prohibited Items: Photography, video, and the use of any recording equipment, including smartphones, is strictly prohibited at all times in CAP UCLA’s venues. All devices must be silenced before the start of the performance. Infants on laps are not permitted.
- COVID-19 Considerations: If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms prior to a CAP UCLA performance, please stay home. We will exchange or refund your ticket. An inherent risk of contracting COVID-19 and other contagious diseases remains present in any public venue. CAP UCLA cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed to or contract COVID-19 during your visit.
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