South Coast Repertory

Would you like to see a future production BEFORE it becomes a production? Take your opportunity to do that at the 2025 Pacific Playwrights Festival May 2-4. Here is our lineup for a packed weekend of theatre: two world-premiere full productions anchoring five play readings. Both full productions: "You Are Cordially Invited to the End of the World!" by Keiko Green, and "The Staircase" by Noa Gardner, came out of past PPFs. So did such award-winning plays such as Lucas Hnath's "A Doll's House, Part 2," Lauren Yee's "Cambodian Rock Band," Qui Nguyen's "Vietgone," Lynn Nottage’s "Intimate Apparel," Nilo Cruz’s "Anna in the Tropics," Julia Cho’s "The Language Archive" and David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning "Rabbit Hole." You're seeing tomorrow's can't-miss productions today. So who's next? How can you get tickets? We answer all your questions here. https://lnkd.in/g6UHeZQD

Culture OC recently chatted with "Wish You Were Here" Director Mina Morita about directing the West Coast premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning, Orange County native Sanaz Toossi's exploration of friendship. SCR's 2025 opener runs through Feb. 2. https://lnkd.in/gS8QYZqS

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson. The co-founder of South Coast Repertory with David Emmes, Benson passed away Nov. 30. He was 87. “It is a deeply difficult time as we process the loss of our beloved co-founder, Martin Benson,” SCR Artistic Director David Ivers said. “Martin was a shining light for South Coast Repertory, a pioneer here and in our field. Kind, thoughtful and deeply curious, Martin was always ready with a poignant word, a handshake of support and an appetite for the work. He will be sorely missed, but his fine example of craft and leadership endures. We owe him much and vow to honor his great legacy.” A pioneering and visionary leader who served as SCR’s co-artistic director with Emmes for 46 years, Benson was also an award-winning director of 126 SCR productions. Together, Emmes and Benson established SCR as a regional theatre powerhouse that helped define the American theatrical canon through its championing of new plays and world-class productions. “Martin and I enjoyed a friendship and partnership for more than 60 years,” Emmes said. “Our artistic vision, a lofty dream, was realized through the extraordinary leadership and support of our SCR Boards. Their guidance, along with the relentless commitment of our artists and staff, has made our dream a reality.” For more on the remarkable life of Martin Benson, please visit this story on the SCR Blog. https://lnkd.in/g8KxWkFM

As we're in our final week, "Joan" has captivated audiences and reviewers alike--who immersed themselves in the stellar performances and engaging storytelling of this world-premiere production. “The cast of Joan is nothing short of sensational…. South Coast Repertory has truly outdone itself…deserves five stars and more.” --Fanboy Nation “A revelation. (Tessa) Auberjonois delivers a tour de force as the Joan Rivers the world came to know” --Culture OC “[Tessa] Auberjonois captures the breathless ambition along with the insecurity that fueled Rivers’ drive… Audiences are happy to spend time in the company of a celebrity” --Los Angeles Times   “Joan Rivers comes back to vibrant life… It’s also funny… as winning as it is clever” --Jordan R. Young   “Absorbing and hilarious… the play has found its incredible voice via [Tessa] Auberjonois’ remarkable performance, which by itself is reason enough to see the production” --Broadway World   “Keeps the audience laughing” --Theater Mania “An impressive handful of phenomenal actors” --The Show Report   “Has you on the edge of your seat from the time the curtain goes up” --800 Pound Gorilla Media

We're #hiring a new Finance Director in Costa Mesa, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Philanthropy OCBJ did a wonderful front-page story on incoming Managing Director Suzanne Appel for its latest issue. We are unable to post the link here, but this Orange County Business Journal story is a must-read for all South Coast Repertory fans and patrons. Pick up your copy today.

Have you met our new Board Trustees? David Chase, Susan Hori, Regina Oswald and Tammy Tang bring not only a love of theatre and the arts, but a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills to our Board. Learn more about them here on the SCR Blog. https://lnkd.in/grE85RVy

Irreverent. Funny. Joyful. All words that describe "You Are Cordially Invited to the End of the World!", the last piece to our 2024-25 Season puzzle. We announced today that Keiko Green's heartfelt comedy about a family facing crisis and the oft-hilarious coping mechanisms they employ will occupy the previously to-be-announced open spot on our schedule. The world premiere takes the Segerstrom Stage, April 5-May 4, 2025 as one of the anchors to the 27th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival. "'You Are Cordially Invited to the End of the World!' is a powerful complement to the entirety of our 61st season," said SCR Artistic Director David Ivers. "It's incredibly special to have Keiko Green and her moving, irreverent play as an anchor to the Pacific Playwrights Festival. Keiko's writing is evocative and the play tackles undeniable truths in powerful and sometimes unimaginable ways." Read more on the SCR Blog. https://lnkd.in/g8TYe7HS

THIS JUST IN ... SCR announced today that Suzanne Appel will become the theatre’s new managing director. She’ll join SCR in early September as only the theatre’s second managing director in its 60-year history. The managing director at off-Broadway’s Vineyard Theatre for the last 7 1/2 years, Appel joins Artistic Director David Ivers as co-chief executive officer of the Tony Award-winning theatre. She succeeds Paula Tomei, who announced her departure in November after 44 years at SCR, the last 30 as managing director. “I am humbled by the opportunity to continue Paula’s incredible work providing Orange County audiences with access to theatre that has a national impact far beyond Southern California,” Appel said. “David Ivers’ commitment to supporting voices representing a broad diversity of American cultural experience, particularly through the Pacific Playwrights Festival, is simply inspiring. I am looking forward to joining David, the Board and the incredible team at SCR in welcoming audiences to share in the awe-inspiring theatre that awaits them at South Coast Repertory.” Read the full story on the SCR Blog https://lnkd.in/g9-krbP3