The Colony—A Brief History

The Colony Theatre Company began its distinguished history of continuous production in 1975, when it was incorporated as a non-profit organization by a group of young Los Angeles television actors eager to return to their theatre roots.

From 1975 through 2000, The Colony was in residence at the Studio Theatre Playhouse in the Silver Lake district of Los Angeles.

In 2000 the company moved to a larger, 276-seat theatre in the Burbank Town Center, and became a fully operating Equity theatre in 2002. It is now The Colony Theatre Company in Residence at Burbank Center Stage.  Our spacious, yet intimate theatre features a thrust stage that puts the action right in your lap, an elegant but comfortable environment that makes every visit a special occasion, marvelous restaurants within walking distance, and plenty of safe, free parking. 

Over the years, the theatre has evolved from a small local ensemble into a well-established, award-winning, nationally recognized resident company. It has demonstrated an extraordinary stability, many members having been with the company for more than a decade, and some for over twenty years. And it has become renowned for the extremely high quality of its production values - direction, sets, costumes, lighting, and sound design - as well as for the excellence of its actors. Indeed, the Theatre Peer Panel of the California Arts Council recently stated that The Colony featured "some of the finest actors in Los Angeles."

The Colony recently won the Ovation Award for Best Play in a Larger Theatre for the second year in a row, beating out such competition as The Ahmanson Theatre and The Taper. In 2002, The Colony won the top honor for its production of The Laramie Project, and in 2003 the award went to Toys in the Attic. The Encyclopedia Britannica Almanac has listed The Colony as one of the “25 Notable US Theaters” for 2 years in a row. And The Colony has been named “Best in Burbank” for three years in a row.

The Colony produces plays in all genres: contemporary and classical, comedy and drama, intimate and spectacle, and is well-known for its World and West Coast premieres and ambitious musical presentations. To date, The Colony has won numerous awards, including 13 Theatre LA Ovation, 18 L.A. Drama Critics Circle, and over 100 Drama-Logue and LA Weekly awards.

Above all, our new home is about what happens on the stage when the house lights fade, and you are drawn into that ancient, unique, remarkable, and magical experience that is live theatre. In a world that seems increasingly frantic and impersonal, we invite you to slow down, watch, and listen. Let us tell you marvelous stories, from the great classics that have shaped our civilization, to the old favorites of a generation ago, to the latest hit from New York or the regionals, to the brand new voice just beginning to be heard.

In years to come we will continue our Colony tradition of bringing you performances that make you laugh and cry at the same time, that are joyous, compelling, and uplifting, that feature the widest range of comedies, dramas, and musicals, all presented with uncompromising professionalism.