San Diego Gives 2025
This season, women take center stage.
San Diego Gives is an annual fundraising initiative supporting local nonprofits that make a difference in the lives of San Diegans and takes place on Sept 11, 2025. More than a day of giving, San Diego Gives is an investment in uplifting San Diego communities.
This year for San Diego Gives, we are celebrating the outstanding women of La Jolla Playhouse who exemplify the spirit of collaboration and innovation necessary to bring theatre to life. The Playhouse prioritizes creating an intentionally supportive working environment so that we can be a home for theatre professionals at all stages of their career to safely experiment, hone their skills and do their best work—on and off the stage.
Your gift supports not only the incredible women we are celebrating, but the Playhouse’s commitment to supporting women at all stages of their career. Join us in celebrating our superlative women with a donation today.
Read about these extraordinary theatre professionals below.
Managing Director Debby Buchholz
“Debby Buchholz is an exceptional leader whose visionary impact at La Jolla Playhouse – one of the nation’s most influential nonprofit theatres – has reshaped how theatre serves both artists and communities. Under her leadership, the Playhouse has premiered over 60 new works, launched numerous productions to Broadway, and expanded access through innovative programs like the Without Walls (WOW) series and POP tours. Debby approaches challenges with strategic insight rooted in her legal and HR background, always balancing rigor with humanity. Her leadership style is marked by collaboration, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to mentorship and inclusion. Deeply aligned with the Playhouse’s mission, Debby sees theatre as a vital public good, and ensures it reaches and reflects the full breadth of society. We are fortunate at La Jolla Playhouse to have one of the most talented and innovative leaders in American theatre at the helm!”
– Denise Bevers, Board Chair
On Stage
Playing now at La Jolla Playhouse is The Heart, a powerful new musical following a potential heart donor’s family making the harrowing decision to change a transplant recipient’s life forever. Championing this piece is book writer Kait Kerrigan, fresh off her success with Broadway’s The Great Gatsby, and Anne Eisendrath, one half of the married musical team behind the electronica music and lyrics for this heart-pounding musical, creating a brand-new sonic experience for musical theatre audiences.
The Playhouse is closing our season with the stories written by and about strong women: Working Girl, a hilarious adaptation of the iconic 1988 film, follows Tess McGill as she fights to prove herself in a man-centric world of business. With music by the legendary Cyndi Lauper and book by Theresa Rebeck, this show centers friendship and the power within to change one’s circumstance.
Following Working Girl is The Recipe, introducing audiences to Julia Child before she became the TV personality that we all know. Two-time Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear and two-time Obie Award winner Lisa Peterson helm this story of rebellion, discovery, and strength.
The creative team of The Heart during rehearsal; photo by Tia Byington
Innovation Night
Dr. Martha Dennis is being honored for her leadership at the Playhouse’s annual Innovation Night for her work and contributions to the technology and software industries and ongoing advocacy for women in engineering in San Diego. She has spent nearly six decades in the technology and software industries, beginning with her Ph.D. thesis at Harvard in the computer graphics field, which she noted was barely established at the time she attended. Her visionary efforts have helped elevate the visibility and voices of women leaders in science, technology and entrepreneurship. Through her creativity and commitment, Martha has built platforms that empower others, foster collaboration and spark real change in the arts, engineering and technology ecosystem. Her ability to blend purpose with action has inspired many to get involved, support and invest in initiatives that promote equity and progress in our community.
Find out more about Innovation Night here.
Supporting Early Career Professionals
The Playhouse is committed to developing the next generation of theatre professionals by providing opportunities for early-career professionals to develop their craft, receive mentorship and build relationships that last beyond their time with us. Two standouts we are recognizing are Kat Yen, our very first recipient of our paid two-year Directing Fellowship, and Eliana Theologides Rodriguez, playwright of this season’s Indian Princesses and former DNA New Work Series playwright. Eliana worked closely with another up-and-coming female director and Playhouse alumna, Miranda Cornell, on the world-premiere of her play.
“This directing fellowship has been career changing, even life changing for me. The amount of support I’ve received from the Playhouse for my artistic work and general well-being is unparalleled and I feel so lucky to no be amongst this incredible community of artists and theatre lovers. It is such a gift to have a theatrical institution of this caliber provide me with a platform to share my artistic voice and help carve out my place in American theatre.”
– Kat Yen, Directing Fellow 2023-2025, Director of All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me
“La Jolla Playhouse was the first theater to take a chance on me and my work, and I will never forget everything they’ve done to make me feel seen, supported, valued, and uplifted. Every single person on staff worked hard to bring my story to life and to make my world premiere the best it could possibly be, and I am forever grateful to have found an artistic home in this one-of-a-kind institution.”
– Eliana Theologides Rodriguez, Indian Princesses and DNA New Work Series playwright
“La Jolla Playhouse has been foundational to my career as a theater director – from my first encounter as Associate Director of both Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord (2022) and The Outsiders (2023), to making my LORT directorial debut with Indian Princesses this past June. I am so grateful to LJP for their belief in and support of emerging artists, particularly ones of color. This summer’s production of Indian Princesses has led to the upcoming Off-Broadway production in Spring 2026!”
– Miranda Cornell, Indian Princesses director
Miranda Cornell and Eliana Theologides Rodriguez during Company Breakfast at La Jolla Playhouse; photo by Samantha Laurent
