The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum stretch back to the early 1950s when Will Geer, one of the many actors victimized by the McCarthy Era Blacklisting, opened a theatre for Blacklisted actors and folk singers on his Topanga property.
With the advent of television's "The Waltons" and subsequent popularity of Will's portrayal of Grandpa, Will Geer gathered his family in 1973 and together they formed a non-profit corporation, The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. Audiences flocked to free workshop performances of Shakespeare, folk plays and concerts featuring such well-known artists as Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Della Reese & Burl Ives, among others.
At the death of Mr. Geer in 1978, the family and a small band of players decided to work towards becoming a professional repertory theatre, incorporating educational programs and musical events. The local community and surrounding environs encouraged the theatre's artistic goals and proved their support by donating the labor and materials to begin a campaign which would expand and improve the theatre's facilities.
The 299-seat outdoor amphitheatre is now one of the few mid-size union houses in the L.A. area, receiving critical praise and numerous awards. Theatricum has expanded the Botanicum grounds by purchasing an additional piece of property southwest of the amphitheatre, enlarging the theatre’s park-like setting available to the community.
The company also offers a variety of educational programs including School Days, Academy of the Classics, a Teen Repertory Company and Classroom Enrichment programs. Through these projects Theatricum engages with kids and adults of all ages throughout the year. In addition, new spaces within the recent expansion of the grounds will allow the Theatricum to serve an increased number of students through its educational programs in the years to come.
Theatricum is celebrating the 450th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth throughout the 2014 season, including a very special birthday party with the Shakespeare on the Road team this Saturday 26 July. Festivities hosted by Queen Elizabeth I and Shakespeare himself will begin from 2pm, with a performance of All’s Well That Ends Well at 4pm.
Find out more about Theatricum Botanicum.