Theatre Projects Opens New Office in Los Angeles

Theatre Projects has just opened its first office on the West Coast. The firm has been working on the West Coast for 30 years, and has now established a permanent home in Los Angeles.

Some of Theatre Projects' more visible West Coast projects include the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Kodak Theatre. But its work on the West Coast represents its practice as a whole, including regional theatres, university work, small-scale projects, performing arts centers, and renovations.

The new office is located at 453 S. Spring Street, Suite 1230, Los Angeles, California 90013. Phone: 213 375-3688.

Michael Ferguson is the director of the Los Angeles office. He joined Theatre Projects in 1998 and since 2006 has been splitting his time between Theatre Projects and his own theatre planning and design firm, Theatre Strategies Group. Born and raised in California's Central Valley, Ferguson worked throughout California before ending up in San Jose, where he worked as the lighting director and assistant production manager for the San Jose Repertory. As the Rep's assistant project manager for its new theatre, he was introduced to and later hired by Theatre Projects. His design and production experience includes theatre, dance, performance art, circus, and live musical concerts in over 130 theatrical venues nationwide. His current work in the arts includes an on-going production collaboration with musician/producer/author Stephen Wade and lighting direction for San Jose Taiko.

"I'm really excited about opening our new LA office," said Ferguson. "This has been a goal of both Theatre Projects and mine for years, and it feels great to see it come together. For the past decade, almost a quarter of our work has been in the US west and southwest. By opening this office, we have the opportunity to service and support those projects better. And besides, how do you not want to live in a place where some of the best food in the city comes off the back of a food truck?"

Ferguson is joined by Keith Gerchak, Both a working actor and a registered architect, Gerchak has been an member of the Theatre Projects design team since 2004. He recently moved from New York to Los Angeles to continue his acting career.

Before joining Theatre Projects, Gerchack was a project director at the theatre architectural design firm van Dijk Westlake Reed Leskosky. He has performed in over 75 venues across the country, in roles ranging from Marlin in Disney's Finding Nemo the Musical to Motel in Fiddler on the Roof opposite Paul Sorvino. He frequently contributes articles on theatre design and sustainability issues.

When asked about the new Los Angeles office, Keith said, "My first reaction was, 'Wait, we don't already have an office in LA? I moved out here almost two years ago, thinking we did!' In all seriousness, with an already extensive catalog of high-profile projects, a veritable who's who of architectural and acoustic collaborators specializing in performing arts centers, and an increasing demand for venues in the cultural and entertainment capital of the western US, the time and place are right for this office. Plus, the commute beats flying back to South Norwalk."

A director of Theatre Projects and one of its most experienced theatre consultants, Benton Delinger will split his time between the Connecticut and Los Angeles offices, working closely with Michael to develop relationships on the west coast.

Having grown up in California, Delinger moved to Connecticut in 1998 from San Jose where he had spent eight years as the production manager for the San Jose Repertory Theatre. While at the San Jose Rep, he collaborated with Theatre Projects as the Rep's project manager during the design and construction of their new facility.

"The LA office is great for Theatre Projects," says Delinger. "The California arts scene is wonderful and rich, with so many different cultures adding flavor and transforming their communities. I'm very happy to be able to have an office so close to where I grew up and cut my teeth in theatre...did Michael say something about food trucks?"

Theatre Projects' Los Angeles office is on the top floor of the historic Spring Arts Tower, located in the city's Gallery Row regeneration district. Once home to the Citizens National Bank, the building now provides office space for more than 100 creative companies and independent artists, including designers, architects, photographers, and painters.