We are not just a theatre company, we are a home for artists and creatives and a place for audiences to expand their worldview. 

Both King James and Come From Away focus on geographical communities far from Los Angeles,

but with narratives that can resonate for everyone.

King James reaches beyond the boundaries of Cleveland, Ohio’s city limits. LeBron James’ historic

career united not only a city, but a global community of sports fans. The communal experience

of coming together to sit down and watch a game is not unlike attending the theatre. No two

experiences are the same, and the magic of not knowing keeps both sports fans and theatregoers

alike on the edge of their seats. Playwright Rajiv Joseph is also a longtime collaborator of Center

Theatre Group—King James is his third World premiere production on our stages, alongside

Archduke and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.

Conversely, Come From Away brings together a global community of 7,000 plane passengers to

the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attack. Despite their

differences, the locals and the passengers were able to bond and become stronger together. Their

stories remind us of the power of human empathy and connection, especially in times of crisis. We

are grateful to share a special return engagement of this much beloved show that resonates more

deeply with us after two years of living with the loss of human connection.

June is also Pride Month, where we celebrate and uplift members of the LGBTQIA+ community,

including those here at Center Theatre Group. We not only look at the past and current stories of

Queer characters on our stages, but also celebrate the work of the Queer individuals within our

organization. I am proud that Center Theatre Group fosters and works toward an inclusive community

for all. To T, or Not to T? will also begin performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre this month,

chronicling D’Lo’s experience taking testosterone and transitioning. It is so exciting to bring back

our Culver City Block Party programming with this production from the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

We have one last celebration to share with you this season: one of the cornerstones of Center Theatre

Group that I am most proud of is the work of our amazing Education & Community Partnerships

team. In April, we hosted the Stories Unite Us Gala, celebrating the 50th anniversary of our Education

& Community Partnerships Programs. Since the 1971 season, these programs have broadened

horizons and helped to engage and inspire hundreds of thousands of artists, audiences, and theatre

professionals across Los Angeles by nurturing a lifelong love of theatre in learners of all ages.

Thank you for joining us in investing in community building at Center Theatre Group. I am delighted

to be able to welcome you into our family, to engage with our programs, and to enjoy the stories

presented on our stages.

MEGHAN PRESSMAN
Managing Director/CEO
Center Theatre Group