ABOUT
ATLA

MISSION & HISTORY.

In the wake of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter Movement, professional and intimate theatres of Los Angeles were stopped in their tracks. Faced with the challenge of new innovation in digital and live performances and all the calls for inclusion and reform, Alternative Theatres of Los Angeles was formed.

ATLA is a community of 61 professional intimate theaters based in the greater Los Angeles area. Like Los Angeles, the theatre community has always been at the forefront of innovation. ATLA came together to discuss how to move through the current COVID crisis and come out stronger. ATLA is committed to uplifting unrepresented voices, raising the bar, and pushing the boundaries of professional theatre. At weekly virtual roundtables, ATLA continues to remind us that theatre is a collaborative art form, stronger together as one community.

CHALLENGES of CHANGE.

Some of ATLA's top initiatives:

Analyzing COVID safety protocols and associated costs, and working with the theatrical unions to compile a list of best practices to present to the county and the state that with the right precautions, live performances can safely and cautiously resume.

Rallying artists affected by AB 5 and pressing legislators for a carve-out for nonprofit theaters with revenue of $1.5 million or less.

Increasing public awareness of L.A.’s numerous alternative theatres — known through the years as “intimate” or “99-seat” theaters — and formulating plans to establish a central box office.

Immersion in technology that is applicable to all online programming, currently the best way of connecting with audiences.

Fostering opportunities for artists of color by formulating a regional, small-theater action plan; compiling a spreadsheet of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) artists that theaters can refer to when assembling production teams; and developing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training.