This initiative aims to foster a more inclusive, equitable and anti-racist theatre industry. The Playhouse recognizes that achieving this goal requires providing avenues for students and emerging professionals to receive training, mentorship, career opportunities and community-building spaces with peers. The initiative targets current and aspiring theatre professionals who represent the diverse cultures and backgrounds present in our communities, with a particular focus on underrepresented, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and socioeconomically diverse populations.
La Jolla Playhouse inspires the next generation of theatregoers and artists by introducing young people to the joy of live theatre, providing intensive theatre training and bringing quality arts education to San Diego area schools. We provide meaningful opportunities for children and teens to experience live theatre at its finest through our POP Tour performances throughout San Diego County and through student matinees at La Jolla Playhouse.
The Performance Outreach Program (POP) Tour
Every year, the Playhouse commissions and develops a new play for young people, The Performance Outreach Program (POP) Tour, that tours into schools, community centers and libraries throughout San Diego County. These performances are integrated into the classroom curriculum through pre-performance visits by Playhouse artist instructors.
The 2025 POP Tour is The Weather Busters of Beachcastle, written by Christin Eve Cato and directed by Kat Yen.
Not all schools can afford to bring programs like the POP Tour to their students. To make sure that the program is accessible to all, we offer partial and full scholarships to schools to cover the minimal program fee schools are charged. Approximately 80% of schools received scholarships in 2024, including all Title 1 schools, thanks to corporate and foundation support, as well as the Adopt-a-School campaign.
» Click here to view the POP Tour 2024 Impact Report
Student Matinees
Each school year, La Jolla Playhouse offers high school students and their teachers the very special opportunity to attend a designated Student Matinee of one of our main stage productions. Student Matinees are integrated into the classroom curriculum through pre-performance visits by Playhouse artist instructors and Playhouse-produced teacher’s guides. At each Student Matinee, nearly 500 students from schools across San Diego County experience an engaging performance in a professional, Tony-Award winning theatre.
For many students, the Student Matinee is the first professional production they have experienced and by attending these performances, they are introduced to the joy of live theatre.
To learn how you can support our Theatre for Young Audiences programs, please contact Individual Giving Manager, Taylor Lehmkuhl, at [email protected].
San Diego’s military community plays an important role in all of our lives and La Jolla Playhouse is proud to support our local active-duty service members, veterans and their families through our many Military Engagement Initiatives. We strive to enhance the military’s connection to the greater San Diego community, while also enhancing their quality of life through meaningful social and cultural experiences.
» Learn more about our MVP Initiative
» Click here to view the 2022/2023 Military Impact Report
To learn more about our Military Outreach Initiatives, please contact Becky Pierce Goodman, Deputy Director of Philanthropy, at [email protected] or (858) 228-3059.
La Jolla Playhouse is committed to developing new work and providing creative opportunities to the leading playwrights, directors, actors and designers of today and tomorrow. To foster the growth of these artists and projects, the Playhouse has established several programs including the Page To Stage Play Development Program, the DNA New Works Series, an extensive commissioning program, readings and workshops, as well as on-site artist and theatre residencies.
“The Playhouse is an incredibly nurturing environment for playwrights and artists. A safe haven for experimentation.”
– John Leguizamo, Tony and Emmy Award-winning performer and creator of the Page To Stage production of Latin History for Morons.
“There’s a sense of a moment at the Playhouse that the new-work development here is firing on all cylinders.”
– Christopher Ashley, The Rich Family Artistic Director of La Jolla Playhouse and 2017 Tony Award winner of Best Direction of a Musical
“Doing a large scale musical tends to stretch the limit and nerves of any theatre but Christopher Ashley and crew are creatively fearless and fanatically supportive. The result can be a fired-up creative team and a show that leaves audiences cheering.”
-Joe DiPietro, writer of the Page to Stage musical Chasing the Song and the world premiere musical Diana
“La Jolla Playhouse commissioned, developed, and produced The Coast Starlight, giving me rigorous and exacting support along the way. A playwright dreams of this kind of relationship with a theater – it’s a rare and precious thing.”
-Keith Bunin, playwright of The Coast Starlight
For more information on how you can support new work development, please contact Individual Giving Manager, Taylor Lehmkuhl, at [email protected].
La Jolla Playhouse is a known launching pad for plays and musicals that have enjoyed success in San Diego, on Broadway and beyond. Developing productions of this caliber takes a tremendous commitment of resources from our local community and Playhouse leadership, including our generous show sponsors.
Show Sponsors support the artistic vision of the Playhouse and ensure that we can continue to develop the artists of the future and extend our reach to the broadest possible audience. In appreciation, show sponsors receive exclusive benefits:
For more information on how to become a show sponsor, please contact Director of Philanthropy, Keely Daximillion, at [email protected] or (858) 228-3084.
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