Celebration Theatre is Southern California’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ theatre. Founded in December 1982 in a Silver Lake storefront by Mattachine Society co-founding member Chuck Rowland, the nonprofit was organized as a community theatre “of, by, and for gay and lesbian people and their friends.” Expanding over the decades, the Los Angeles-based company has mounted theatrical productions representative and in support of the queer community: with a sharp focus on inclusion, visibility, and pride.

In addition to its main stage productions from the queer literary canon and reimagined “queerings” from the theatre canon, Celebration Theatre has developed new works for the community for decades through readings, workshops, and world premiere productions. Since 2021, the theatre has committed itself through its Trans Lineage program to the development of new stories for the stage that illuminate transgender and gender-expansive narratives across time and cultures.

GLAAD, NAACP, Los Angeles theatre awards, and many other benchmarks for excellence have recognized the theatre and its artists—performers, writers, directors, designers, musicians, and producers. Scores of LGBTQIA+ luminaries have graced Celebration’s stages over the years as it continues to provide an inspiring and empowering forum for professional and emerging artists, giving voice to the evolving experience of queer culture.