The Elephant Theatre Company was a non-profit theatre company based in Hollywood, California. The company "built a reputation for championing new American plays." It ceased operation in September 2015.
History The Elephant Theatre Company was created in 1995 by David Fofi and Lindsay Allbaugh, along with classmates from the California State University, Long Beach Theatre Arts program, getting their start in a space at the Angel City Brewery artist complex. The space doubled as both a studio theater and a loft apartment. The facility was renovated, creating a small theatre and living quarters, and was given the name of "Elephant Off Main".
In the summer of 1997, the small 45-seat theater could no longer accommodate the production needs or the increasing audience attendance. The Company then moved to Hollywood (and dropped the “Off Main”). David Fofi along with founding member Don Cesario continued to produce Elephant productions in various Hollywood venues.
During their 1998/1999 season, the company moved to 6322 Santa Monica Boulevard, in Los Angeles' Theatre Row District.
In 2015, the theatre building was sold by its landlord to a neighboring school. The last produced show ("The Great Divide" by Lyle Kessler) closed on August 23, 2015. The Elephant Theatre was left without a permanent space.
Chronology of Plays Summer 2015: The Great Divide'' Written by: Lyle Kessler Directed by: David Fofi Produced by: Bren Coombs and Shannon McManus
Spring 2015: 7 Redneck Cheerleaders Written by: Louis Douglas Jacobs Directed by: David Fofi Produced by: Bren Coombs
Winter 2014: Hell Cab Written by: Will Kern Directed by: David Fofi
Fall 2014:Scene Workshop Showcase of various company members
Fall 2014:Elephant Short Play Fest Short plays written and directed by various company members
Summer 2014: Le Butte 1 One acts written and directed by various company members
Summer 2014: Unorganized Crimewritten by: Kenny D'Aquila Directed by: David Fofi
Spring 2014: Derby Day written by: Samuel Brett Williams Directed by: David Fofi
Winter 2014: Twilight of Schlomo written by: Timothy McNeil Directed by: David Fofi
Summer 2013:Revelation written by: Samueal Brett Williams Directed by: David Fofi
Spring 2013:The North Plan written by: Jason Wells Directed by: David Fofi
2012:7 Redneck Cheerleaderswritten by: Louis Douglas Jacobs Original Staging by: Amy French Re-staged by: David Fofi & Louis Jacobs
2012:Collision written by: Lyle Kessler Directed by: David Fofi
June 2011:Lovesickwritten by: Kristina Poe Directed by: David Fofi
June 2011:100 Saints You Should Know written by: Kate Fodor Directed by: Lindsay Allbaugh
February–March 2011:The 10th Anniversary of Love Bites: 10 Years Together & Still No Ring Annual shorts written and directed by various company members
August–September 2010:Parasite Drag written by: Mark Roberts Directed by: David Fofi
May–June 2010:Supernova written by: Tim McNeil Directed by: Lindsay Allbaugh
February–March 2010:Love Bites Vol. 9 Annual shorts written and directed by various company members
August 2009-September 2009:Block Ninewritten by: Tom Stanczk Directed by: Emilie Beck & Pete Uribe
May 2009-June 2009:The Idea Man written by: Kevin King Directed by: David Fofi
February–March 2009:Love Bites Vol. 8.0Annual shorts written and directed by various company members
2008:7 Redneck Cheerleaders written by: Louis Douglas Jacobs Directed by: Amy French
July 2008-October 2008:Asleep on a Bicycle written by: Tony Foster Directed by: David Fofi
May 2008-June 2008:Tooth and Nail written by: Gena Acosta Directed by: Lindsay Allbaugh
February–March 2008:Love Bites VI & VII Annual shorts written and directed by various company members
November 2007-February 2008:Anythingwritten by: Tim McNeil Directed by: David Fofi
August 2007:One Fell Swoopwritten by: Robert J. Litz Directed by: Christopher Game
March–April 2007:Love Bites Vol. VAnnual shorts written and directed by various company members
January–April 2007: In Arabia We’d All Be KingsWritten by: Stephen Adly Guirgis Directed by: David Fofi
December 2006:365 Days/Plays (week 4: Los Angeles) Written by: Suzan-Lori Parks Directed by: Lindsay Allbaugh, David Fofi, and Christopher Game
August–October 2006:Seven Redneck Cheerleaders Written by: Louis Jacobs Original Staging by: Amy French Re-staged by: David Fofi & Louis Jacobs
March 2006:Love BitesAnnual shorts written and directed by various company members
November 2005-January 2006:Los MuertosWritten by: Tim McNeil Directed by: David Fofi
August 2005:Seven Redneck CheerleadersWritten by: Louis Jacobs Directed by: Amy French
May 2005:Never TellWritten by: James Christy Directed by: Lindsay Allbaugh
December 2004:Underwear For ChristmasWritten by: Tony Foster Directed by: Daniel McCoy
October 2004:Love Bites HarderAnnual shorts written and directed by various company members
June 2004:One WorldWritten by Robert J. Litz Directed by David Fofi
April 2004:21 StoriesWritten by: G.W. Stevens Directed by: Yuval Hadid
October 3One Act FestivalAll Men are Whores, and Bobby Gould in Hell written by David Mamet Not Enough Rope, and Hotline written by Elaine May Desire, Desire, Desire, ‘Dentiy Crisis and 1-900-Desperate by Christopher Durang
August 2003:RobbersWritten by Lyle Kessler Directed by David Fofi Workshop Production with Lyle Kessler, not submitted for review
April 2003:Some Strings AttachedWritten by: Amy French and Alexandra Hoover Directed by: Gina Soto
March 2003:King of ClubsWritten and Directed by: David Fofi
October 2002:ZzyxxWritten by: Don Cesario Directed by: Kimberly Brooks
August 2002:Serenading LouieWritten by: Lanford Wilson Directed by: Christopher Game and Gina Soto
April 2002:Love BitesSeries of one acts written and directed by various company members
December 2001:Red Cross and 4H-ClubWritten by: Sam Shepard Directed by: Chris Game & Dave Fofi
November 2001:GreystoneWritten by: Tony Foster Directed by: Kristin Hanggi
June 2001: Dearboy's WarWritten by: Mike Ambrose Directed by: Danny LaClair
December 2000:Underwear for ChristmasWritten and Directed by: Tony Foster
October 2000:The Insanity of Mary GirardWritten by: Lanie Robertson Directed by: Pat McLoy and David Brown
April 2000:Elephant Shorts, a Collection of Vignettes Written by: Tony Foster Directed by: E.O.M. Directors
November 1999:Search & DestroyWritten by: Howard Korder Directed by: David Fofi & Anthony Roman
May 1999:The Actors NightmareWritten by: Christopher Durang Directed by: Christopher GameGecko Chestnut GeniusWritten by: Jimmie D. Hudson III Directed by: Don Cesario
April 1999:LineWritten by Israel Horowitz Directed by: Gary BlumsackShooting GalleryWritten by Israel Horowitz Directed by: Andrea C. RobbinsStage DirectionsWritten by Israel Horowitz Directed by: Pat McLoy
March 1999:Indian Summer of Our DespondencyWritten by: Kelly Wand Directed by: David Fofi
August 1998:Halfway ThereWritten by: Michael Vaez Directed by: Christopher Game at the Hollywood Court Theater, Hollywood
July 1997:Warmth and DoubtWritten by: David Fofi Directed by: David Fofi & Andrea RobinsThe Princess and the PeonWritten by: Jimmie D. Hudson, Directed by: Christopher Game Candlefish Theatre, Los Angeles
February 1997:The Love of NechronWritten and Directed by: Pat McLoy Elephant Off Main Theatre, Los Angeles
November 1996:CriminalWritten by: David Canales Directed by: Jeff Walsh
September 1996: Holding CellWritten by: Mike Vaez Directed By: Joe Matthews
May 1996:Solitary Ping PongWritten by: Jimmie D. Hudson Directed by: Lori Lee BushMy Only Hopeless Written by: Jackie Apodaca Directed by: Christopher Game
March 1996:King Of ClubsWritten and Directed by: Dave Fofi Adam and RhondaWritten by: Matthew Jones
Nov 1995:The Galaxy LilyWritten and Directed by: Don Cesario
July 1995: Sam Shepard TributeRed CrossDirected by: Christopher Game4-H ClubDirected by David FofiFourteen Hundred Thousand''' Directed by: Kimberly Brooks
References