{"id":3998,"date":"2025-09-18T02:45:22","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/?p=3998"},"modified":"2025-09-18T02:54:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T09:54:31","slug":"the-mark-taper-forum-is-a-stage-for-contemporary-los-angeles-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3998-the-mark-taper-forum-is-a-stage-for-contemporary-los-angeles-stories","title":{"rendered":"The Mark Taper Forum is a stage for contemporary Los Angeles stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A landmark Los Angeles theater, the Mark Taper Forum is renowned for its experimental approach and socially charged productions. It\u2019s more than just a venue\u2014it&#8217;s a true laboratory for contemporary drama, where for decades, new cultural narratives have been shaped and the voices of important playwrights have been discovered. Read more at <a href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\">los-angeles-trend<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a04edaf14550\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a04edaf14550\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3998-the-mark-taper-forum-is-a-stage-for-contemporary-los-angeles-stories\/#History_of_the_Theater\" >History of the Theater<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3998-the-mark-taper-forum-is-a-stage-for-contemporary-los-angeles-stories\/#Renovation_and_Updates\" >Renovation and Updates<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3998-the-mark-taper-forum-is-a-stage-for-contemporary-los-angeles-stories\/#A_Stage_for_the_Bold\" >A Stage for the Bold<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/eternal-3998-the-mark-taper-forum-is-a-stage-for-contemporary-los-angeles-stories\/#Iconic_Plays_and_Directors\" >Iconic Plays and Directors<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History_of_the_Theater\"><\/span>History of the Theater<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Mark Taper Forum opened in 1967 as part of the Los Angeles Music Center, often called the West Coast equivalent of New York&#8217;s Lincoln Center. The architectural design was handled by Welton Becket and Associates, with construction by Peter Kiewit and Sons. The dedication ceremony took place on April 9, 1967, with then-Governor of California Ronald Reagan in attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the three venues in the Music Center complex, the Mark Taper Forum is the smallest, but it stands out for its unique architecture. Designed in the New Formalism style, which emphasizes clean geometric shapes, the building is a perfect circle and is considered one of Becket&#8217;s finest works. Its exterior is adorned with an intricate, lace-like concrete relief by sculptor Jacques Overhoff. Inside, an undulating mother-of-pearl wall, created by designer Tony Duquette, immediately captures the eye. Architect Charles Moore once jokingly described the building as a &#8220;late Imperial Depression-style cake.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The theater was designed without a clear purpose in mind. Its potential uses were debated, with suggestions ranging from a chamber music hall to a space for grand jury meetings. It was only through the efforts of cultural leader Dorothy Chandler that the building found its theatrical calling. She persuaded Center Theatre Group&#8217;s artistic director, Gordon Davidson, to take the Taper under his wing. Davidson would go on to lead the theater for 38 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The theater\u2019s main architectural highlight is its thrust stage, which extends into the semicircular auditorium. This design creates an intimate connection between the actors and the audience, ensuring a close-knit feel even during large-scale productions. The Taper&#8217;s design is reminiscent of other theaters from that era, such as the Carousel Theater at Disneyland (also designed by Welton Becket and Associates in 1967), Frank Lloyd Wright&#8217;s Dallas Theater Center, and the original Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"649\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-51.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3964\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-51.png 649w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-51-300x209.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-51-100x70.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 649px) 100vw, 649px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Renovation_and_Updates\"><\/span>Renovation and Updates<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Four decades after its debut, The Mark Taper Forum was in need of a major overhaul. In July 2007, Rios Clementi Hale Studios began a massive $30 million renovation, which was completed the following summer. The <a href=\"https:\/\/houston-trend.com\/uk\/eternal-2003-miller-outdoor-theatre-hyustonskyj-teatr-prosto-neba\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">theater<\/a> reopened on August 30, 2008, with a premiere of John Guare&#8217;s play &#8220;The House of Blue Leaves.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A key problem with the original design was that the architects had created the building before its purpose\u2014or its tenants\u2014had been decided. As a result, the circular structure had cramped backstage areas, a narrow lobby, and limited space for the audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While the renovation left the building&#8217;s concrete shell and iconic shape largely untouched, nearly everything else was transformed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The lobby was significantly expanded. The box office was downsized, and a section of the underground parking garage was repurposed to create new restrooms and a stylish lounge featuring gold-curved sofas and a mirrored mosaic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The seating capacity was slightly reduced from 745 to 739, but the new seats are wider and more comfortable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessibility was improved by moving the main entrance to the plaza level and installing an elevator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The number of women&#8217;s restrooms was quadrupled, from just four stalls to sixteen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The stage and technical areas underwent a complete overhaul: the outdated stage mechanism and old air-conditioning equipment were removed, a new lighting system was installed, the loading doors were widened, and a modern costume shop was added.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In recognition of a generous $2 million contribution from the S. Mark Taper Foundation, the auditorium was named the Amelia Taper Auditorium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1103\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52.png 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52-300x207.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52-768x529.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52-1536x1059.png 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52-696x480.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52-1068x736.png 1068w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-52-100x70.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Stage_for_the_Bold\"><\/span>A Stage for the Bold<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since its opening in 1967, the theater has established itself as a stage for bold, and at times provocative, productions. Its inaugural production was John Whiting&#8217;s &#8220;The Devils,&#8221; a play that explored themes of 17th-century religion and sexuality. It sparked a wave of protests from religious groups and even the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, but despite the controversy, the show went on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years, the term &#8220;Taper play&#8221; has emerged to describe productions known for their provocative, political, and simultaneously liberal content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of its most famous productions include &#8220;Murderous Angels,&#8221; &#8220;The Dream on Monkey Mountain,&#8221; &#8220;Children of a Lesser God,&#8221; &#8220;Savages,&#8221; &#8220;The Shadow Box,&#8221; &#8220;The Kentucky Cycle,&#8221; and &#8220;Angels in America.&#8221; Furthermore, the Taper has hosted the world premieres of numerous landmark works, including &#8220;The Shadow Box&#8221; (1975), &#8220;Zoot Suit&#8221; (1978), &#8220;Children of a Lesser God&#8221; (1979), &#8220;I Ought to Be in Pictures&#8221; (1980), &#8220;Burn This&#8221; (1987), &#8220;Jelly&#8217;s Last Jam&#8221; (1991), &#8220;Angels in America&#8221; (1992), a new version of &#8220;Flower Drum Song&#8221; (2001), and &#8220;Radio Golf&#8221; (2005). Over its lifetime, the theater has earned five Tony Awards, solidifying its status as one of the most important centers for contemporary American drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1188\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-53.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3970\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-53.png 1188w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-53-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-53-768x517.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-53-696x468.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-53-1068x718.png 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1188px) 100vw, 1188px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Iconic_Plays_and_Directors\"><\/span>Iconic Plays and Directors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of its most significant productions was Tony Kushner&#8217;s &#8220;Angels in America,&#8221; which premiered on the Taper stage. This epic play about the AIDS epidemic, politics, and the search for identity in late 20th-century America became a cultural phenomenon, winning a Pulitzer Prize for Drama and several Tony Awards. The Los Angeles production laid the groundwork for its eventual triumph on Broadway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The theater has actively championed innovators who tackle pressing social issues. Among them are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Larry Kramer, who spoke candidly about the AIDS crisis and government indifference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>David Henry Hwang, who explored themes of cultural identity and interracial relationships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Luis Valdez, the author of the legendary &#8220;Zoot Suit&#8221;\u2014the first Chicano play to be produced on Broadway.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The repertoire has been defined by works that embody the &#8220;Taper play&#8221; ideal\u2014politically daring, intellectual, and provocative. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;The Shadow Box&#8221; (1975) by Michael Cristofer, which explored themes of death and reconciliation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Children of a Lesser God&#8221; (1979) by Mark Medoff, which brought the world of communication between the hearing and the deaf to a mainstream audience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992&#8221; (1994) by Anna Deavere Smith, a documentary-style play about the Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King verdict.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;Radio Golf&#8221; (2005) by August Wilson, the final installment in his monumental Century Cycle about the African American experience in 20th-century America.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;13&#8221; (2007), a musical that helped launch the careers of several young actors, including Ariana Grande.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Mark Taper Forum didn&#8217;t just stage relevant plays; it shaped the public discourse on social change, politics, identity, and human rights. Its stage became a place where theater moved beyond entertainment to become a powerful tool for community dialogue. The seasonal programs offered by Center Theatre Group consistently draw significant audience interest. These collaborative projects attract a diverse audience, from fans of contemporary drama to lovers of classic theater. Furthermore, the theater is committed to expanding accessibility. Special programs for students, discounted tickets, and educational initiatives help engage young people and the broader community, ensuring that attendance is not only high but also socially diverse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1122\" height=\"799\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-54.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3973\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-54.png 1122w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-54-300x214.png 300w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-54-768x547.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-54-696x496.png 696w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-54-1068x761.png 1068w, https:\/\/cdn.los-angeles-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2025\/09\/image-54-100x70.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1122px) 100vw, 1122px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A landmark Los Angeles theater, the Mark Taper Forum is renowned for its experimental approach and socially charged productions. It\u2019s more than just a venue\u2014it&#8217;s a true laboratory for contemporary drama, where for decades, new cultural narratives have been shaped and the voices of important playwrights have been discovered. Read more at los-angeles-trend. History of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":374,"featured_media":3977,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[156],"tags":[3813,3796,3824,3817,836,3822,3823,3829,3815,3825,3826,3818,3819,3827,696,3828,3821,3820,3816],"motype":[160],"moformat":[24],"moimportance":[32,35],"class_list":{"0":"post-3998","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-teatrs","8":"tag-amelia-taper-auditorium-2","9":"tag-center-theatre-group","10":"tag-contemporary-playwright-los-angeles","11":"tag-contemporary-us-dramas","12":"tag-dorothy-chandler-pavilion","13":"tag-experimental-theatre-los-angeles","14":"tag-gordon-davidson-director","15":"tag-interactive-stage","16":"tag-john-guare-the-house-of-blue-leaves-2","17":"tag-los-angeles-theatre","18":"tag-los-angeles-theatre-festivals","19":"tag-modern-theatre-los-angeles","20":"tag-premieres-of-contemporary-plays","21":"tag-sold-out-theatre-performances","22":"tag-the-mark-taper-forum","23":"tag-theatre-productions-2025","24":"tag-theatre-with-interactive-stage","25":"tag-thrust-stage-theatre","26":"tag-us-theatre-premieres","27":"motype-eternal","28":"moformat-longrid-korotka","29":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","30":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/374"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3998"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3998\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4001,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3998\/revisions\/4001"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3998"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3998"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3998"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/los-angeles-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}