Overview
MACHA Theatre Co. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the LGBTQI community producing, writing, directing and performance opportunities within a creative environment that encourages building bridges to a mainstream audience to foster understanding between communities.
We are asking our LGBTQI community and allies to contribute towards our goal of creating new and impactful programming, and securing and renovating a new venue for MACHA Theatre to call home.
All perks receive ticket(s) to the upcoming production of Frida: Stroke of Passion in February 2020!
Meet MACHA Theatre
MACHA Theatre Co. was founded in 2000 by Artistic Producing Director Odalys Nanin because of the lack of Latina-LGBTQI stories in the theater community, the lack of leading roles for lesbians of color and a lack of real cultural inclusion or representation of the Latina lesbian experience in mainstream theater. MACHA is an acronym Mujeres (Women) Advancing Culture, History, and Art.
For the past 19 years, MACHA has produced award winning, high quality, and exciting theater featuring lesbians of color in the title roles. We’ve had a loyal following since the company’s inception, as well as critical acclaim for the interesting stories and great production value. A nomadic theater company, producing two productions per year and one writing workshop, we’ve invited mentors like Maria Irene Fornes - nine time Obie Award winning playwright - and Professor Cherrie Moraga - Chicana activist - to work with us.
MACHA is the only professional theater company lead by a Latina lesbian in the United States. With limited venues providing producing, writing, directing and performance opportunities, MACHA has been filling this role by offering cultural, equity and inclusion to both the LGBTQI community and women of color - both integral parts of the city of Los Angeles.
Thanks in part to generous grants from the Astrea Foundation and the City of West Hollywood, along with wonderful volunteers, we have continued to produce original cutting edge plays and adaptations of classic plays like Blood Wedding.
Magic was created on stage and our houses were full. In 2007, we were able to call the venue at 1107 N. Kings Rd. - then called the Globe Playhouse - our home. After remodeling the venue - and a rename - MACHA Theatre - the doors opened on April 22, 2007 with two new plays, Skin of Honey, directed by Odalys Nanin, and The Adventures of Lieutenant Nun, directed by Ivonne Coll.
The next ten years saw MACHA Theatre flourishing, increasing the company’s reputation as a professional theatre company. Celebrities including Al Pacino, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Nia Vardalos, and Sophie B. Hawkins visited and produced at MACHA’s new home.
While seeing success in the new venue, in 2017 the landlord sold the entire corner - which included MACHA Theatre. The new landlords - real estate investors - unfortunately doubled our rent. On December 27, 2017, we had to relinquish our venue and lost over $26,000.
Since that time, it took us more than year to be able to produce again and continue with our mission. 2019 has seen MACHA produce Love Struck, and in 2020 we are bringing back the critically acclaimed production of Frida: Stroke of Passion.
What We Need & What You Get
Since losing our performance space in 2017, it has been a constant struggle to be able to produce new programming and continue with our mission. We would like to empower the community by creating, producing and telling impactful stories that touch so many. In addition, we are in the process of looking for a new venue to call our home.
Your contributions will help get us there. Perks include VIP and general tickets to our upcoming production of Frida: Stroke of Passion, mention in the program and on our website, a VIP meet and greet during reception of the show, t-shirts, a copy of the play, and our sincere gratitude.
