Kirk Douglas Theatre

The Culver Theatre
Kirk Douglas Theatre during the run of Clay, a 2008 hip-hop Shakespeare-inspired musical.
Address	Culver City, Los Angeles, California USA
Coordinates	34°01′18″N 118°23′49″W / 34.02167°N 118.39694°W / 34.02167; -118.39694
Owner	Center Theatre Group
Capacity	317
Opened	2004
Website
www.centertheatregroup.org

The Kirk Douglas Theatre is a 317-seat theater located in Culver City, California. Since 2004, it has been operated by the Center Theatre Group.

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 Wednesday August 13, 1947.^[1]

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.^[2]

Awards and nominations