Caught the play "Guac" this weekend at Kirk Douglas Theatre and had such a great experience. The…read moretheatre itself provides a very intimate audience experience and every seat feels close to the action, which made the performance feel really immersive. The staff was friendly and organized, and getting in and seated was smooth even with a full house. The Center Theatre Group hooked us up with a pair of second row tickets for this play when we were at the LA Times Festival of Books, and we purchased an additional pair for friends to join us for the show. Guac was a hilarious, creative, and heartfelt production. What amazed me was how the star of the show managed to pull off such a spectacular performance as a one-man band. His energy combined with the excellent crowd work on the audience made the whole night feel surreal. Without giving away too much of the plot, I can tell you that this play is very much on the nose for today's social climate and the timing couldn't be more perfect with upcoming elections. You can tell this theatre really supports bold, original productions instead of just playing it safe. Also appreciated how clean and well-maintained the venue was, plus there are plenty of good spots nearby to grab food or drinks before the show, like ramen at Ippudo or Mensho Tokyo. They also validate parking for an additional two hours if you park at City Hall, so I recommend taking advantage of this. The recommended attire is more on the casual side compared to Broadway shows you'd catch at Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, so leave the suits at home and pack a comfy outfit instead. Already looking forward to coming back for another production!

PRO-TIP: You can get free parking at City Hall across the street and they validate up to 3 hours…read more(1st hour is free). The ticket validation scanner is in the lobby area and staff are there to assist if need be. Came here to see the "Enormous Crocodile" with some other fellow adults. Probably one of the few groups here without children. For some strange reason, after purchasing my tickets, it said to pick them up from the box office, but that was no issue and we were able to get physical tickets ASAP, around 20 minutes before the musical. There's concession where you can get snacks (must finish before entering the theater) or drinks (can bring inside). They had some specials for the season and some specials for the showing, which we got both of. I really liked the non-alcoholic Swamp Water, very refreshing and fruity and the little palm tree umbrella was very cute and on theme. My bro and his friend shared the Croc Cooler, which was made with vodka, blue curacao, orange juice and bitters, and sprite and a stick of cinnamon. Very strong, had to water this down with the Swamp Water, but overall, definitely much more affordable than the spirits at the Ahmanson theater. There's also complimentary water. For the families there, there was a table for coloring and craft making, a wall to share your artwork, a nook of books recommended by the Croc, and a small table selling merchandise. For concession and merch, it was cashless only! It's a smaller theater but it uses the space pretty well, some seats to the side, and some balcony seats too. The stage is at ground level meaning you can walk in from the first row of seats (some parents had to reel in their toddlers from doing this). We were in the 3rd row from the front and the sound was nice and crisp, lighting was great, and it was nice from where we were at to see the details in the set, costume, and puppetry. Overall a fun experience and a good theater.

The Actors' Gang mission is to present new, unconventional and uncompromising plays and dynamic…read morereinterpretations of the classics, to restore the ancient sense of, to introduce theater to children and, to bring the freedom of self-expression to the incarcerated. There is no better place to see a play or musical than at the Actors' Gang. It is a must see when you are in LA. It holds only 99 people and there is not a bad seat in the house. Tim Robbins is the Artistic Director, on the Board and is now and again in a play. The Actors' Gang wanted to tell stories that meant something about the world. When first started it was 8 UCLA students. Four decades later, it is 50 committed actors. You simply must go. It is a not for profit and the actors work for nothing. They also do Shakespeare in the Park outside.

There's something very special about the feeling you get when you drop your child off somewhere…read moretruly incredible. The people at The Actors' Gang are Amazing -- creative, kind, and full of heart. We're forever grateful for the joy, confidence, and imagination you bring to our children. Thank you so much.

A+ dance studio! We have had such a wonderful experience at Culver Ballet. The teachers are…read moreexceptional and provide so much individual attention and care to each dancer. My girls absolutely love going to class, and it has been so rewarding to watch their skills, confidence, and love of dance grow. The teachers are encouraging while still helping the dancers really develop their technique. You can tell this is a studio that genuinely cares about its students. Highly recommend Culver Ballet!

We just started at Culver City Academy of Ballet, having moved up from the sister studio,…read moreMichelle's Dance Academy. Both studios are fantastic - they foster a love of dance for the students and have a way with being both firm but fun in all classes. The instructors are extremely talented, kind, and do a great job managing both the young dancers and the parents. There are so many places you can enroll young girls for dance in West LA, but I think CCAB is a true ballet school; focusing on fundamentals and helping students who are really passionate about dance to grow! Michelle especially is an incredible business owner - she knows all of the students, all of the parents, manages two studios with two recitals twice a year and is extremely organized for all paperwork, billing, schedules, which we know isn't always the case for kid's activities.

I went to the Ruskin Group Theatre to see a play called "Grangeville," written by Samuel D. Hunter,…read moredirected by John Perrin Flynn, and starring Tim Cummings and Jeff LeBeau, the show's only two performers. I'd heard great things about this play, both from a friend and from the L.A. Times, and was excited when it extended its run long enough for me to catch it. After a few of these extensions, the run is coming to an end on September 21. If you have any interest in theater, I'd urge you to go see it while you can. It's an amazing show, absolutely top tier, and the tickets are only $45. I got three tickets for a Sunday afternoon performance, and since the theater was small and the tickets all the same price, I put us in the middle of the first row. We arrived a few minutes ahead, which gave us just enough time to buy bottled water before going in. The theater had around 60 seats across four rows, and I imagine all of them were pretty great. My husband and friend were a little worried about being front and center, but the seats were fantastic. It was an incredibly intimate theater experience, especially with just those two actors owning the stage. I loved everything about this production, only the second staging of "Grangeville," after its off-Broadway premiere last year. It was on par with the very best shows I've seen at the bigger theaters around town, and much better than the average. Incredible talent in every department. I'd never heard of the Ruskin Group Theater before, but now I'll pay attention to whatever comes through. Not every show can be this good, but it's clearly a theater that can attract serious players.

I came here with my dear friend to watch an author, Nicca Ray, to read from her book Love &…read moreCigarettes she had such an interesting story about her life. I had NO idea this place even existed! Met some amazing people and artists. You must check it out and see this hidden gem in Santa Monica to see what type of venue they have going on. So surprised I've lived here for so many decades and this is here! Plenty of free parking.

I love the GEFFEN. Awesome plays in a world of musicals. Awesome sets. Below is the fantastic set…read morefrom "Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous Book" by Pearl Cleage. I really enjoyed the performance I saw. It was still in progress. Bravo! Excellent acting.

Still a great venue for great performances. Great staff & great intimate room with great comfort…read moreseat. Love the courtyard for drinks prior & intermission period. Big and clean restrooms. Great refreshment choices. Parking can be tricky, you can park in the garage next door for pay, or street parking for pay (depending on the hours of the day & day of the week), or you can park in neighborhood street parking (free) couple blocks away. The venue is close by market with food vendors or nearby restaurants and museum. Really enjoy every time I'm here seeing a play.

Best place on the Westside to see some improv, one-man and one-woman shows as well as take a great…read morewriting class taught by Jane Morris on Wednesday evenings! I love that you can also get an empanada next door, but that's just me! Great space, lots of laughs to be had there.

Best kept secret in L.A. Great groups and seasoned performers…read more They have a house group called Bucket of Snakes, made up of a lot of Second City alumni and some great all girl groups, but a particular favorite of mine is the Transformers, who are usually there 2 Saturdays a month. Crazy, wild and so damn funny! This place is out of the way in Culver City, but it's definitely worth the trip.

The Morgan-Wixson Theater is located in Santa Monica. Parking is on the street, but mind the signs…read more You can park without any problem right down the street at the Family Clinic for free anytime and it is not a long walk at all. This is a not for profit and it has professional actors, kids and armatures. It is small and there is not a bad seat in the house. Most of the staff are volunteers so be nice. You can order from their website. It has a great selection of plays, from kids plays (called the YES program) to musicals and some very serious plays. We have been so many times and have never seen a bad play and if you have a kid, it is a must you take them there. The prices are so fair and they a little snack bar inside. There is nothing not to like about this theater. It has nice places to eat nearby and it is a great area.

RENTERS BEWARE!!! Not reliable management. The theater…read moreitself is nice. But our dance studio had horrible experience with administration multiple years. 2026 was the worst experience. We reserved theatre for our concert a year in advance. They kept refusing to send us contact (like previous years), probably waiting for some bigger renter to offer them something more. 3 DAYS BEFORE OUR RENTAL THEY CANCELLED ON US! We had to find a new theater, change program, rearrange performances, reprint all tickets/booklets,posters, tell 40 families to change time and location of the event. This was the most stressful experience ever. It's too bad. We were ready to rent their theater every year. And we have rented twice before, having same problem- no contract till last minute! Bill(William) is not responsive. You will call, text, email and have no response. If you're up to get your hair turn grey while dealing with them, go for it.

If you're reading, know that as a person who's looking at this school or the next, if you are…read morealways skeptical you're NOT alone. The instructors at this school may give some good pointers that may help but it's the way they approach teaching that really bugs me. If you've attended multiple schools then you'll know what I'm talking about. First off, what I'm about to say happens at some studios and others it doesn't. The instructor at this school doesn't give any introduction or clarification when a student doesn't understand what he's asking. That is a big mistake on his part. Because if an instructor can't answer what a student is asking, then he or she will never truly understand what they did was wrong nor right. Secondly, this is a huge one. Problem with students is that every time new students come in, they'll come in with a huge ego and think that confidence = great acting but it doesn't at all. The problem is when you're a new student, you're supposed to come in as humble and listen with open ears. Many of them here at this school don't do that. They say what they think they're good at and what they're not. But the problem is if you've never taken classes, then you should come in humbly. The new students will imitate what they've seen on TV And say "I can do that" and there they've instilled overconfidence, ego boost. Especially when an instructor shows favoritism, if an instructor criticizes some and doesn't for others, then that student especially new ones who have no experience think they have nothing to improve. This doesn't happen at other schools because some instructors will criticize everyone and some will even tell you that they leave the ego out the door. I've seen so many students come for 1 class and they never show up again and YOU WONDER WHY. Because it turns students off that an instructor is criticizing some while not for others. It can make them shy away, and in one class, they may blame themselves for not being able to do what others do. Another thing the instructor here doesn't explain anything to the questions asked once again. Hell just say some jibber jabber without clarification and then it leaves students puzzled since HE NEVER ANSWERED THEIR QUESTIONS. So to encourage students to stay and give it a chance is something instructors should START doing or else you will have many walking away on the first day There are also some schools that will praise you for everything everyone does and that is also a big red flag. It may encourage people to stay but for some who are skeptical they may think "am I ever going to improve" Another thing is when you have new students, you should NOT make them go up after watching one scene. THEY ARE NEW. The problem with that is they will watch one scene and think "easy" I can do it, imitate what they see on TV or think to themselves "I can do better" to show off If you are someone who is observant but you've gone to different schools you will see and be around many egotistical NEW students. If it bothers you, you are not alone. This is why it's crucial for instructors to make an introduction, give encouragement to new students who doubt themselves, and give clarification to questions students have, NOT shove everything down people's and say "you're wrong, just listen to what I say". So many new students here will say and talk like they know everything already WHEN THEY KNOW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. If you get favoritism from an instructor imagine what these students expect when they try and audition. New students need to understand that directors can cut through ego BS with a damn butter knife. They can see straight through you. Lastly, this school may be for you. It may not be. But don't feel alone because every school, some will praise you in everything you do. Some will show favoritism like this one. Some will tell you to take your damn ego out the door before walking in. And some will treat you as one with everyone else. But watch out for new students. There are some that will criticize everything you say and say that what they say is right even when they have NO experience. Just remember, there is no right or wrong with acting. Everyone will have a different experience. And some things may work For you some may not

This is a great acting school. I really enjoyed my teacher. He's very passionate. Teferi is very…read morededicated to helping you and he's always very nice with his constructive comment. He has stayed late several time to make sure you get your time in. He also doesn't force people to stay if they have other appointments. He allows you to stay longer and discuss scenes or scripts. Personally, he has coached me with some self tapes and auditions. He took time out of his personal life to help me and I truly appreciate him.

Our daughter loves this school and Michelle is as kind and as professional as they come. So…read moregrateful for a true welcoming place like this for our little ballerina.

Michelle & her instructors are ANGELS! I found about this…read moredance academy during COVID as they were teaching outdoor classes and accepted dancers as young as two. My daughter started her ballet classes just before she turned two. Huge improvements in physical confidence, dancing with other kids & had a blast! Our nanny took her to these classes & flooded us with adorable pictures with tiaras, ribbons, and fun props. I don't know how they do it but they manage to get these kids to pay attention! It's incredible. The best part of this studio is their twice a year dance recitals. We invite the whole family, take tons of pics & have a blast watching the adorable REAL dance choreography on stage. Prior to each recital there's a photoshoot which are adorable and make the best gifts for the holidays for the grandparents. Cute small assortment of supplies for sale - ballet & jazz leotards, outfits & tights Tons of free parking directly in front of the studio. They're on the 2nd floor. Go up the ramp behind CVS - which is accessible only if driving westbound on Venice. WE LOVE & HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SMALL WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS

Sergio did an amazing job for our party. Arrived on time, prepped and entertained us for half an…read morehour. Great music choice. Everyone loved it and it gave that wow effect to my party.

These guys are amazing ! They perform with such intensity and left me in awe. The fire is…read moremesmerizing and entrancing . So cool. I would definitely book them for show. Fire on my birthday why not !? They really have a good setup, good music, and radiant energy. I love that each one has their own style and unique elements . I could sit watching this forever .