The Basement Dance Center is located below the AMP Rehearsal space and has limited signage, so first-time visitors would do well to look for the AMP signs and ask to be pointed in the right direction. Twenty-four-hour studio rentals are available here, for everything from rehearsal and audition space to private events and kids' parties. It's a favorite spot for professional dance and TV/film industry use. Adult and youth dance classes are offered as well.
An area landmark since its opening in 1926 (when it was a vaudeville house), El Portal Theatre is a living legend. Today, the venue stages dramatic, comedy and musical productions that routinely garner rave reviews. Out front, there's an eye-catching art deco marquee that lights up at night; a vintage ticket kiosk sits underneath it. The entryway is lined with framed show posters. Inside—thanks to a 1990s remodel—the theater has three performance spaces: the MainStage, with its 360 seats, the Forum Theatre and its 95 seats, and the Studio Theatre, which is the 42-seat venue used by Theatre Tribe. Parking is available in the rear, and the theater is extremely convenient to the North Hollywood Metro station. For pre- or post-show dining, a number of options are within walking distance.
Third Encore opened its doors in 1989 to house local and travelling musicians in need of recording space. Through major expansions over the last 2 decades, the company is now made up of over 150 studios across Los Angeles and Orange County. This original facility in North Hollywood now include five studios ranging from 1,700 sq ft to 2,400 square feet, 4 of which feature a separate whole space for lounging.
In all studios you'll find professional sound systems, on-site, knowledgeable sound engineers and helpful amenities like cable, DSL and Wi-Fi, telephones with voicemail and refrigerators. Third Encore also rents all types of musical instruments.
The Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center hosts many plays and other performances produced by community theater groups. It offers rental space for various productions and also has acting classes.
Theatre Tribe is a smaller theatre located along Lankershim Boulevard with the NoHo Arts District. It is a 38-seat playhouse that strives to merge the world of theatre with the intensity, speed and entertainment of films. The theatre was founded in 1999, and moved to its current space in 2002. The playhouse continues to showcase world premiere plays in its small, but charming theatre space. Credit cards are accepted and parking is free on the street after 6pm. Reservations can be made by calling the box office.
History for Hire is a prop company that offers a large selection of props available for use in movies, plays and more. The 33,000 square foot facility contains everything from large props to small, hand-held ones, including vintage cameras, household products, musical instruments, replica weapons and much more.
The Lankershim Arts Center is located along Lankershim Boulevard in the heart of the NoHo Arts District. This large, historic space is home to the Road Theatre Company, Gallery 800 and other art programs based in North Hollywood. It was built in 1939 and was a department of water and power building, and has since become a staple in the NoHo arts community and continues to be a place where new artists can be seen. The large gallery space can be rented, as can the smaller theater space that seats 42. The building is a registered cultural landmark and continues to be a place of inspiration to many artists throughout the area. Parking can be found in the rear or on the street at meters.
Deaf West Theatre is a stage venue, featuring a number of productions throughout the year. Its mission is to promote the arts, especially in the deaf community. Its products are featured in spoken English and American Sign Language.
The Young Actor's Studio is located on the 2nd floor of the 5217 building along Lankershim Boulevard. It features classes for kids ages 4-18, as well as adult workshops and more. The space is divided into 2 studios, each with various spaces used for acting classes.
Previous students have included Shia LeBeouf, Scarlett Johansson and Samantha Mahurin. The school primarily focuses on enhancing and molding the talents of young actors through performance and training. The instructors are all professionals at their craft and are highly experienced. A full list of classes can be found on the studio's website.
Art Pic is an art gallery that carries paintings, sculptures, ceramics, tapestries and photographs. It boasts works from over 250 emerging and established artists. The gallery carries over 1,000 pieces suitable for every lifestyle and budget. It also provides custom, site-specific art. The gallery also rents out artwork for television, film, commercials and print productions. The gallery provides a website with a full catalogue for guests to browse through. It is located on a small street with parking available on the streets.
Raven Playhouse is located along Lankershim Boulevard in the Arts District of the city. It is a small, storefront playhouse that performs live plays, as well as holding film and television screenings and various workshops. The playhouse can be rented out for various uses and provides ample lighting equipment, a sound board and more than 50 seats. A box office sits near the front with a small sitting area for show goers. Show info can be found on the theater's website, as can ticket information, which can be reserved over the phone. Credit cards are accepted and parking is metered out front.
L'Imagerie Gallery might seem unassuming from the outside, but inside it's a world of color and cool. L'Imagerie specializes in vintage and collectible movie posters, original rock concert posters, and pop-surrealistic fine art. The reception area is staffed by friendly, knowledgable folks, but the rear of the building is where the action is. Clients who ask to be shown the back will encounter a warehouse-sized space that showcases one of the largest retail collections of vintage movie and rock concert posters in the world. From "Citizen Kane" and "Forbidden Planet" to "It's a Wonderful Life" and a whole bunch of classic Clint Eastwood films, L'Imagerie has them all on hand. The concert posters focus on rock from the '60s through the '90s. As for the pop-surrealistic fine art, there are pieces by such big names as Mark Ryden, Robert Williams and Todd Schorr. L'Imagerie also offers framing and restoration services utilizing museum-quality materials.
Zombie Joes is a small, underground theatre group that has made its way onto the main drag of theaters along Lankershim Boulevard. It features plays that are a bit darker, a bit scarier and a bit edgier than the normal theatre. The troop continues to push the boundaries of showmanship and stagecraft with each production, featuring shows such as Urban Death and Schmutzigen Deutsche Kabarett. The theatre continues to win awards for its shows and frequently holds auditions for new troop members. Tickets can be reserved by calling ahead, but can also be bought at the door. Showtimes can be found on the company's Web site and parking is metered 'til 8pm.
T. U. Studios (Theatre Unlimited Studios) is located on the corner of Camarillo Street and Vineland Avenue. The space is used for popular cabarets, musicals, plays and classes.
This stage is a bit larger than most local independent blackboxes. Most season shows are cast through open auditions, and the space is also available for rent/sublease. Entrance and limited parking for the theater can be found at the rear of the building.
Los Angeles Women's Theatre is a unique experience with a small but dedicated work force in the world of women performing arts. The office is located on Cumpston and will give you all the information needed to begin your quest into the world of women's theater.
The Academy of New Musical Theatre is a theater company and teaching facility that opened its doors in 1971. It is located on Lankershim Boulevard near Collins. Its goal as a creative entity is to create new musicals. Professional writers, producers, composers and actors work together to bring new musicals to fruition and subsequently onto the stages of Los Angeles. It offers concert readings, festivals and arts conferences throughout the year. As an academy, it also acts as a higher learning facility, offering professional programs of study to writers, composers and actors alike. Rehearsal space is available for rent as well.
Located on Magnolia Boulevard, Actors Forum Theatre is a full-service theatre that has been in existence since 1975. It was founded by Audrey Marilyn Singer, and has been at its Magnolia Boulevard location since 1994. The Actors Forum Theatre has many productions throughout the year and its own acting company featuring a dozen or more actors. The theatre seats 45 people and is available for rentals for productions and other events.