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The Open Fist Theatre Company founded in 1990 by five graduates of Cal State Fullerton. Under the Artistic Directorship of Ziad Hamzeh, the Company established its reputation as a cutting-edge ensemble, willing to tackle difficult plays.
Under the Artistic Director Martha Demson, the company has evolved into a collective, self-producing artistic enterprise with all facets of its operation run by its artist members.
For its first fifteen seasons, the Company located at 1625 North La Brea. Over the years, the Company built it into one of the most innovative and technically advanced venues on the 99-seat theatre scene. Before the Open Fist tenure, the building housed the Troupers (vaudevillians), Bob Hope’s dance rehearsal hall, a puppet theatre and a nightclub.
To remain in Hollywood, the Company joined with the Community Redevelopment Agency Hollywood to study the problem of arts retention. The resulting program HARP (Hollywood Arts Retention Program) is currently working with six theatres (of which the Open Fist is one) and six education/arts institutions with the goal of finding permanent affordable housing solutions for each.
The name of the Open Fist Theatre Company comes from two principles they believe to be important. The first is the notion that an Open spirit, embracing all people and all ideas are essential. The second is that the Fist, a sign of determination and even force, is necessary for the theatre to remain a vital voice for social change and awareness.
THE TEAM
Martha Demson, Artistic Director
Jessica Noboa, Financial Director
Laura Richardson, Membership Manager
Barbara Schofield, Literary Manager
6209 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90038
USA
info@openfist.org
http://www.openfist.org/index.htm
Here are few videos reflect some of their work.