Carrie Hamilton Theatre
Hothouse
Furious Theatre Company

CARRIE HAMILTON THEATRE

Currently, the Playhouse is raising funds to complete an $8.5 million capital campaign to renovate this beautiful historic landmark theatre and rejuvenate the Carrie Hamilton Theatre, which was dedicated in honor of Carol Burnett's late daughter in July 2006. This performance space was designed to engage diverse audiences, ensure that live theatre is available to new audiences, reduce barriers to the theatre experience, and to sustain the art form through the mentoring of young and emerging artists. Existing programs taking place in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre include the readings series, Hothouse at the Playhouse; the Directors Lab West, which develops emerging playwrights, directors and actors; and artists- in-residence, Furious Theatre Company. With this theatre, Carrie's infinite passion for life and the arts will find a permanent home.

On February 19, Pasadena Playhouse announced that renowned architect, Frank Gehry, will begin a two-phase pro bono design project of the Playhouse’s Carrie Hamilton Theatre. Gehry generously volunteered his time and expertise in honor of his long-time friend, Pasadena Playhouse Board Member Carol Burnett.

HOTHOUSE

Join local artists and enjoy Hothouse at the Playhouse – a year-long reading series of new plays, and modern reinterpretations of classic plays, created by a diverse range of California writers. Hothouse readings are presented in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre, an intimate performance space located on the second floor of the Playhouse complex.

Next reading: 

VISITORS' GUIDE TO ARIVACA

By Evangeline Ordaz

Directed by Armando Molina

TuesdaY May 13

Wedneday May 14

8:00 p.m. - Carrie Hamilton Theatre

VISITORS' GUIDE TO ARIVACA was commissioned by Borderlands Theatre in Arizona to contemplate what it means to be an American and how the border and immigration play a part in that dream. ARIVACA is beautifully balanced in representing all sides of the debate. ARIVACA will be directed by Armando Molina, Artistic Director of Company of Angels Theatre here in LA.

Reservations: All readings are free and open to the public but reservations must be made by either emailing your request to boxoffice@pasadenaplayhouse.org or by calling (626) 356-7529.


Past Hothouse Readings

WORTH by Corey Madden
Directed by Kurt Beattie

Tuesday, March 25 & Wednesday, March 26
8:00 p.m. - Carrie Hamilton Theatre

Everyone has their price. Eight contemporary Los Angeles characters navigate the high stakes world of contemporary art and corporate America in this acerbic examination of American commodity culture.

WORK by T.L. Wagener
Directed by Kappy Kilburn

February 19 & 20, 2008

In a tiny living room in Beeville, Texas, 1968, an earnest oil executive pays a condolence call on the young widow of an employee who was killed on a rig. A play about civil rights, the importance of oil, an unpopular war, and a looming election -- as well as marriage, children, human decency and self respect. Hothouse is proud to welcome back playwright T.L. Wagener, the first playwright to be produced by the Pasadena Playhouse's new play initiative.

SOJOURNER

The Story of Sojourner Truth

Written by Les Wieder
 

January 22nd and 23rd, 2008

A moving play about Sojourner Truth, a former slave who became one of America’s leading abolitionist and women’s rights advocates in the 19th century.

HOLLYWOOD ARMS
co-written by Carrie Hamilton and Carol Burnett
December 4th and 5th, 2007

A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS
Written by Thomas Gibbons
November 13 and 14, 2007

Thomas Gibbons’ final play in his trilogy about race, history and ambition examines a very real and recent incendiary struggle over the future of an art museum in Philadelphia. Gibbon’s Permanent Collection had a hugely successful run with the Robey Theatre Company at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

A FRAGILE LIFE
Written by Shiva Rose
October 16 and 17, 2007

Born in 1896 in Italy, renowned photographer Tina Modotti grew to be a passionate and devoted advocate of personal, political and artistic freedom. This brand new play by Shiva Rose is an insightful and dramatic look at Tina ’s bright and troubled life.

“New play development and the creation of material for the stage from the ground up is both a responsibility and a joyous opportunity for a theatre of our stature and reputation.”

– Sheldon Epps, Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director

FURIOUS THEATRE COMPANY

Furious Theatre Company is an award- winning professional ensemble committed to edgy, innovative and original works. As our artists in residence, they offer full seasons of daring new plays in the Carrie Hamilton Theatre.

The company debuted in April of 2002 and rapidly produced five plays in 12 months, earning six NAACP Theatre Award nominations, two LA Weekly Award nominations, and numerous critics’ picks from the Los Angeles media. The company also received the Pasadena Arts Council’s Gold Crown Award and The Debut Award from Back Stage West.

In September of 2004, Furious Theatre Company and Pasadena Playhouse forged a multi-year partnership that brought them to the Playhouse as the resident producer in the Balcony Theatre (recently renamed the Carrie Hamilton Theatre), the Playhouse's 99-seat second stage. Furious Theatre Company’s work at the Playhouse has included the Los Angeles Premieres of Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things, Yussef El Guindi’s Back of the Throat and Craig Wright's Grace, as well as a World Premiere Adaptation and two U.S. Premieres.

Furious Theatre Company is led by co-founders and Artistic Council members: Sara Hennessy, Shawn Lee, Vonessa Martin, Eric Pargac, Brad Price and Dámaso Rodriguez. Visit their website for more information.