We don't just "put on plays," we create opportunities, help launch careers, and sometimes we change minds.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are embedded in the fabric of Skylight.  It's more than multi racial casting, it's telling stories that would go unnoticed or could be controversial. It's taking a chance on someone without regard for age, gender, ethnicity or their zip code. It's actively seeking out artists that have never heard of Skylight and welcoming them into the family.

New Plays Begin Here

Recognized as a “powerhouse of new play development" by Dramatist Magazine, works premiering at the Skylight have gone on to be performed Off-Broadway, in cities across the country and internationally. CHURCH & STATE by Jason Odell Williams, had it's world premiere at Skylight in 2016, opened a year later Off Broadway and as of February 2020 has been performed in 52 states with more scheduled. THE WRONG MAN by Ross Golan began at Skylight in 2014 winning three local awards and played Off Broadway Fall 2019 with two "Hamilton" Tony winners at the helm. Works by our resident playwrights have been produced in Chicago, New York and cities nationwide.

“...brings the human experience in all its shapes and forms to life the way only the Skylight Theatre can produce.” (Discover Hollywood)

We've won awards, most recently 2020 Ovation Awards for Best Book/Original Musical and Best Lyrics and Musical/Original Musical for the 2019 world premiere of BRONCO BILLY -THE MUSICAL. In 2018, Skylight received three 2018 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards for ROTTERDAM (Best Production - tying with HAMILTON, Playwriting - Jon Brittain, and Lead Actress- Ashley Romans) as well as two 2018 Stage Raw Awards (Production of the Year and Lead Performance), the production was remounted by the Center Theatre Group in 2020 at the Kirk Douglast Theatre. Skylight has also received the prestigious Steinberg National Theatre Critics Citation for DONTRELL, WHO KISSED THE SEA by Nathan Alan Davis which was produced in association with Lower Depth Theatre Ensemble and continues to be performed all across the country. We've presented over 100 World Premiere plays (and counting), and hosted more than 2,500 artists in over 750 productions, workshops, readings and classes. Our artistic development programs include: SkyLab, the INKubator Play Reading Series, LAb Works, as well as writing and performance programs for emerging professionals, young adults and teens.

Hundreds of playwrights (notable and new) have worked here. A few of the better known actors and directors that have shared their talents with us include: George Clooney, James Cromwell, Damian Cruden, Richard Dreyfuss, Jenna Elfman, John Fleck, Tovah Feldshuh, Miguel Ferrer, Jorge Garcia, John Glover, Beth Grant, Helen Hunt, Gregory Itzen, Salome Jenns, Sharon Lawrence, Justina Machado, Mary McDonnell, Alfred Molina, John Pasquin, Gene Reynolds, Doris Roberts, Thomas Sadoski, William Schallert, Cotter Smith, Joe Spano, Ray Stricklyn, Patrick Swayze, Jeffrey Tambor, Robert Walden, JoBeth Williams.