Kirk Douglas Theatre
| The Culver Theatre | |
 Kirk Douglas Theatre during the run of Clay, a 2008 hiphop Shakespeare inspired musical. | |
| Address |
Culver City, Los Angeles, California USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°01′18″N 118°23′49″W / 34.02167°N 118.39694°WCoordinates: 34°01′18″N 118°23′49″W / 34.02167°N 118.39694°W |
| Owner | Center Theatre Group |
| Capacity | 317 |
| Opened | 2004 |
| Website | |
| www.centertheatregroup.org | |
The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located in Culver City, California and in 2004, was acquired by the famed Center Theatre Group. The theatre is the most intimate of the group's three stages and seats 317 patrons at max occupancy.
History
Built in 1946, as a Streamline Moderne movie palace with a seating capacity of 1,160 (on a stadium plan with no overhanging balcony), the Culver Theatre (as it was previously named) was located near the Columbia Pictures studio lot (then the lot for MGM). It opened on August 13, 1946.
Originally, much like surrounding downtown Culver City, the Culver was a key part of classic Hollywood's thriving entertainment community. But, eventually, much of the entertainment industry moved to points north and the theater grew tired and worn over the years.
Today, the Culver, now renamed the Kirk Douglas Theatre, operates as a performing arts center and playhouse. An $8 million restoration project, with a $1.25 million grant from the City of Culver City, included the addition of two new stages, one with 100 seats and another with over 300 seats. Most of the exterior has been preserved, including the box office and the signature mezzanine tile.[1]
Awards and Nominations
| Awards | Production | Nominations | Wins | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Ovation Awards | The Little Dog Laughed | 6 | 3 | Won for Lead Actress, Scenic Design and Lighting Design |
| 2009 Ovation Awards | Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010 Ovation Awards | The Wake | 3 | 1 | Won for Featured Actress |
| 2011 Ovation Awards | Venice | 11 | 3 | Won for Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Video Design |
| 2012 Ovation Awards | The Convert | 11 | 6 | Won for Lead Actress, Featured Actress, Director, and 3 design awards |
| 2012 Ovation Awards | American Night: The Ballad Of Juan Jose | 4 | 1 | Won for Achievement in Video Design |
| 2012 Ovation Awards | The Night Watcher | 1 | 0 | |
| 2013 Ovation Awards | The Nether | 9 | 7 | Won for Featured Actor, Featured Actress, Playwrighting, and 4 design awards |
| 2013 Ovation Awards | The Royale | 7 | 1 | Won for Choreography |
| 2013 Ovation Awards | The Second City's A Christmas Carol: Twist Your Dickens! | 2 | 0 |