Now in our third year of presenting exceptional and thought provoking theatrical productions, The Hayworth Theatre is conveniently located in Los Angeles’ Historic Wilshire District.
Formerly a movie theater and dance studio, The Hayworth has been transformed into Los Angeles’ hottest and most vibrant theatre and performing arts center. This two story stucco - over brick structure houses a 99 seat theatre, 42 seat theatre, 49 seat theatre, dressing room, green room and a 1500 sq ft ballroom perfect for auditions, rehearsals, classes, parties and special events.
The Hayworth Theatre designated in 1983 as Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument 268, is representative of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, also called the ornate Churriqueresque style. The building was designed in 1926 by noted architect Stiles O. Clements, a major Los Angeles figure, who designed about 100 buildings along Wilshire Blvd.
Over the past two years The Hayworth has produced critically acclaimed productions including “Not a Genuine Black Man”, “Nowhere On The Border”, “The Good Steno” , “Sexy Laundry” and most recently “The Catskill Sonata” and “Adam Baum and the Jew Movie” directed by Paul Mazursky.
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Gary Blumsack - Founder/Artistic Director
GARY BLUMSACK is the recipient of the LA Weekly Award the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, Ovation Award, and Backstage West Garland Award, has become one of the most prolific and influential theatre producers in Los Angeles over the last 20 years. In the 1970’s, he created the National Theatre for Children in Boston. In the 1980’s, Gary ran the Burbank Theatre Guild, where he produced, acted in, and directed numerous productions, including the Los Angeles Premiere of Frederick Knott’s Wait until Dark, Names, and Gate 11. Gary created the Hudson Main stage, Backstage, Avenue, and Guild Theatres in Hollywood where he produced Soweto’s Burning, Hell’s Kitchen Ablaze, The Survivor, and Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral. In the1990’s, after opening The Lillian, a four-theatre venue in Hollywood, he produced a series of musicals including Vampire Virgins from Venus and Gays of Our Lives and the Los Angeles hit musical Reefer Madness. In 2004, Gary founded The Hayworth Theatre and as its Artistic Director, has co-produced Not a Genuine Black Man, Nowhere on the Border, Frank Sinatra F*#ked Up My Life, The Good Steno, The Catskill Sonata, Havana Bourgeois, and Adam Baum and the Jew Movie and the Multi-award winning Lovelace A Rock Opera. Directing credits include Frank Sinatra F*#ked Up My Life, Sexy Laundry, (2009 LA Weekly Best Direction) Waiting for Whitey, and Fried Chicken & Latkes.went on to the Edinburgh Festival Scotland, He recently began developing a Thriller an Omage to the movie classic Rear Window, to being written by Pulitzer prize nominee Richard Vetere, and produced at The Hayworth Theatre. Gary is also still working on his dream of creating The American Theatre Channel, an exciting new internet channel bringing theatre to audience’s worldwide. His two amazing children are now and forever his Inspiration.
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Danna Hyams - Founder / Producing Director
Danna Hyams was the Artistic Director of City Stage Theatre Company for 15 years. As a founding member of the company since 1983, she has produced numerous productions, originally at their Downtown LA venue and at theatres throughout LA. Danna also co-founded the Inner City Art Center, creating projects written, directed, and acted by the Homeless Community on Skid Row. She produced the critically acclaimed productions of Non-Vital Organs (written and performed by Gigi Bermingham) and Becoming Cuban by Carlos Lacamara at The Hudson Theatre. In autumn 2005, City Stage presented Liberation Day and Better Angels at The Hayworth. As cofounder and Producing Director of The Hayworth, Danna produced critically acclaimed productions of Not a Genuine Black Man, Nowhere on the Border, The Good Steno, Frank Sinatra F*#ked Up My Life, The Catskill Sonata, Havana Bourgeois, and most recently, Sexy Laundry, Adam Baum and the Jew Movie and Lovelace A Rock Opera.
Traci McWain - Producing Managing Director
TRACI MCWAIN has been part of the Hayworth from the commencement of the first nail hammered into the main stage floor. A transplant from Freedom Pennsylvania long enough to be considered a native Californian. As an actor her theatre credits include: A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, The Sea Gull, Death, , Play It Again Sam, Bullshot Crummond, No Soap, Moon Children, Peter Pan, A couple of Whites Chicks. TV and Film credits: Wishcraft, The Theory of Everything (Pilot), and that grabby seamstress on Santa Barbara (NBC). As a standup comic, Traci aka (Tracer) has played The Improve, The Comedy Store, The Laugh Stop, The Ice House and yes every coffee shop from West Hollywood to North Hollywood from Studio City to Rancho Cucamonga and back again.With a back ground in art & design and after a decade of working in the furniture design industry jumping to the other side of the curtain was incredibly natural. She was the costume designer on The Catskill Sonata, Havana Bourgeois, and Sexy Laundry. And the set designer on Frank Sinatra F*#ked Up My Life, The Hungry and Horny Show, and When I Cough I Pee. Traci is currently The Hayworth’s Producing Manager and co-produced last year’s Flying Solo for the Summer. She currently has a film in pre-production, "Laura", based on actual events during a three week stay in her dying sister’s house with one bathroom and 15 people in rural Illinois. As you can guess it’s a dark comedy. Traci is very proud and happy to be a part of The Hayworth’s creative team.