California Theater Companies Actors Should Know About
A directory of active theater companies across Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the Bay Area and beyond offering auditions, submissions, training programs and ensemble opportunities for actors.
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When I was young, the first time I moved to Los Angeles, I joined three theater companies, which allowed me to continue working as an actor while continuing to audition for film, television, music video, voiceover and commercial projects.
At the same time, I spent a few months interning part-time at a well-known talent agency in Los Angeles, which at the time had a successful reality TV show on the E! Network. I wanted to understand how the Hollywood system operated from the inside, how agencies functioned, how actors were positioned, how projects moved through the system and how the entertainment industry in Los Angeles differed from, or was similar to, the Canadian and Egyptian industries I was already familiar with.
One thing I noticed while living in Los Angeles was that many actors focused almost entirely on film and television while overlooking theater altogether. Meanwhile, many were working jobs outside the industry while waiting for opportunities to happen.
I personally made a different decision. I did not want to limit myself to only one part of the profession. I wanted to work as an actor in every way possible. So while continuing to audition for film and television, I also auditioned for theater companies, ensemble productions, voiceover work, commercials and anything else connected to the craft of acting itself.
That decision changed my experience completely.
Once you become part of a theater company or ongoing production environment, you are no longer only waiting for opportunities — you are actively working, performing, growing, building your résumé, networking, creating relationships and continuing to sharpen your craft while still pursuing film and television at the same time. In many cases, it can also help support you financially while allowing you to remain inside your field instead of completely outside of it.
Theater also creates opportunities for visibility that many actors overlook. Casting directors, producers, directors, showrunners, agents and managers sometimes attend theater productions looking for talent, collaborations or future casting possibilities. Being involved in theater can also give actors the opportunity to invite industry professionals to see their work live on stage, which can become a powerful way to build relationships and open new doors within the industry.
And to me, that matters.
I say this with respect because every actor’s path is different and survival jobs are sometimes necessary. But I have met many actors over the years who became so fixated on film and television that they unintentionally disconnected themselves from the actual practice of acting. They were waiting to act instead of acting.
Theater was never a “backup plan” to me. It was part of the profession itself.
I remember hearing Don Cheadle once say something along the lines of, “If you want to be an actor, go on stage.” That is very true. Theater teaches discipline, presence, listening, timing, connection and the stamina required to perform live in front of an audience night after night.
This is where acting began. And for me personally, this is also where I began.
Looking back, one of the most valuable decisions I made during that period was continuing to work in theater alongside everything else I was doing.
Below is a growing directory of active theater companies across California offering auditions, submissions, training programs and ensemble opportunities for actors.
I hope this resource encourages some of you to explore new possibilities, continue growing as actors and perhaps discover opportunities you may not have considered before.
Please note: The theater industry is constantly evolving and information may change over time. While every effort has been made to verify the companies, audition pathways and submission details listed at the time of publication, actors are always encouraged to visit each theater’s official website directly for the most current information, policies and opportunities.
This resource will continue expanding as additional active theater companies, ensemble programs and actor opportunities throughout California are identified and researched.
If you are a theater company that would like to be considered for inclusion in this resource, feel free to reach out with your updated information and audition or submission details.