The Elysian Theater

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The Elysian Theater

✨ The Place For Live Comedy in Frogtown, LA✨ The Elysian is an independent comedy theater and 501(c)3 non-profit based in the Elysian Valley of Los Angeles.

At the Elysian, we believe all great work comes out of experimentation and we’re far more interested in the artist’s process than their finished product. Our goal is to foster a supportive space, audience and community that allows artists to enact their unique creative vision. The non-profit was originally founded in 2018 when a group of emerging performers and comedians came together at The Lyric

Hyperion Theater in Silverlake, CA. Informed by the ethos of clown, they embraced an approach of devising new works live in front of audiences, risking vulnerability and failure as a means of discovering gold. The theater became a destination for those seeking innovative, original live comedy that was unexpected, transgressive, participatory and communal. A creative culture grew that offered artists of all disciplines a place to experiment and test boundaries away from the influence of the local entertainment industry and develop shows that would go on to tour the world and win festivals. In 2021, the non-profit established a new home in Frogtown at the historic Elysian Theater - a 135-seat thrust theater built in 1927 - where we continue to cultivate unconventional live comedy. Over fifty percent of Elysian shows are “Work in Progress” - featuring emerging artists developing their voice or established artists developing new shows. In addition to presenting and producing shows, The Elysian also offers year-round workshops and classes in clown, improv and performance art from resident artists, community members, and international award winning performers and teachers. The Elysian believes by nurturing the performing comedy community in this way, artists are able to generate works that inspire, challenge, delight and contribute to the world of comedy at large. MISSION: Our mission is to support innovative artists devising original and unconventional live comedy, by cultivating a diverse and collaborative community that values experimentation as a means of pushing the boundaries of modern comedy. VISION: Our vision is to contribute to the landscape of performing artists, helping them discover and strengthen their voice. We seek to offer a space in Los Angeles that is a respite from the pressures and expectations of the film and television industry. We believe our philosophy of giving artists a space to safely develop works in progress with a supportive audience that embraces original, innovative work, will generate a higher quality of new work that advances the contemporary culture of comedy, both in live theater and beyond. AGE LIMIT: Shows are all ages, but please be aware that some shows incorporate 18+ content and language. Attend shows at your own discretion, and please email [email protected] if you have any questions about a particular show. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY: The performance room is wheelchair accessible, however The Elysian does not have wheelchair accessible bathrooms at this time. The stage can be made wheelchair accessible with advance notice. STANDBY TICKETS: We’ll begin a standby list 30 minutes prior to showtime for sold out performances. By showtime (or 10-15 after), we’ll inform standby list if we can get them in seated or standing room. Typically everyone gets in! Though there’s no guarantee.

12/09/2024

SWIPE ⛄️ Monday-Thursday shows

vault shows at

12/07/2024

Happy Friday 🪿 SWIPE FOR SHOWS!

12/06/2024

Photos from the Halloween ⭐️ DON’T MISS THE NEXT on Sunday 12/15!

Enjoy a bizarre evening of magic, drag, characters on characters, clown, art, & time traveling friendship featuring…

Il Fungo (bouffon troupe)
Kylie Brakeman (NYT great performers list, TV writer)
Obsidienne Obsurd (violist, drag queen, horse girl)
Lady Sapphire Noir (12x award winning burlesque performer)
Erica Gooding (aerialist)
Naathan Phan (magician as seen on AGT)
Jill Young (award-winning comedian)
+ hosted by Emily Maverick & Geri Courtney-Austein!

🤡 LINK IN BIO FOR TICKETS 🤡

photos by

12/06/2024

Support local comedy! ❤️ our $25 for ‘25 campaign is at the link in our bio ⭐️

12/04/2024

clowning at The Elysian & featured in 🤡🤡🤡

article by
photos

thanks for the kind words ⭐️ clown class available to enroll in now! link in bio!

12/03/2024

HAPPY DECEMBER ❄️ swipe for shows! & head over to to see all of this week’s Vault shows…🔓

link in bio for tickets

12/02/2024

Make a pledge to keep Los Angeles funny and fringey — support the Elysian! Help us:

⭐️ Feature the freshest voices in comedy at affordable prices
Encourage experimentation and risk by showcasing work-in-process
⭐️ Host classes and workshops that empower self-sustaining creators
⭐️ Champion emerging artists through artistic development programming like The Spaghetti Festival, The Edinburgh Percolator, and Elysian’s Company-in-Residence
⭐️ Sustain a vibrant community space for our growing community of diverse artists and audiences

PAYPAL DONATION LINK IN BIO!

11/27/2024

Come celebrate the holidays tonight at the Elysian with the 18th Annual Thanksgiving Feast show! 🦃

Once a year, creepy uncles, goth teens and uninvited neighbors all converge around one table filled with real food and improvised comedy by some of LA’s best improvisers. Sit down, pull up a plate and join us for this once-a-year show that’s been running since 2007.

Featuring: Deborah Tarica, Kimia Behpoornia, Suzi Barrett, Alex Berg, Julie Brister, Todd Fasen, Alex Fernie, Matt Apodaca, Drew Difonzo Marks and more TBA!
*lineup subject to change

11/26/2024

12/10 at 7pm: 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival info session with John Norris! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Curious about Fringe? Do you have a show and want to see if it’s a good idea to bring it over? Why does it seem like everyone is doing their shows in Scotland for a month? What’s the point? Is costs HOW MUCH?!

If you’re thinking about bringing your work to Edinburgh in 2025 or 2026, NOW is the time to start planning and making some decisions.

John Norris (creator of Fringe hits Mr. Chonkers and Underground Monk Show and youngest child of three) leads an info session that will explain what Fringe is, what to expect, detailing the pros and cons, and some best practices on what makes someone have a successful Fringe experience. Followed by a Q+A.

Tickets on sale now!

11/22/2024

Tickets to this weekend’s shows at the link in our bio 😁

11/21/2024

TONIGHT! Bizarre Bazaar 🎯 The Elysian’s monthy variety show hosted by

Ft:
Clowns of Color
Jenny Yang
Annie Paradis
Anna Seregina
George McAuliffe
Il Fungo
Tolliver
+ more!

⭐️⭐️ Tickets on sale now ⭐️⭐️

11/20/2024

Tomorrow at 7PM: THE ARMANDO 🦨 Los Angeles’s adaptation of the longest-running improv show ever, The Armando Diaz Experience!

Featuring Iliza Shlesinger, Andy Daly, & more…

Get tickets now at the link in our bio ⭐️

11/19/2024

UPCOMING SHOWS 🦨🫢🦨 swipe !!!

11/14/2024

THE FURMAN OF WOBBY-SOBBY ⭐️ at the Spaghetti Festival
By
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11/14/2024

WIDDLE WOMEN at the 2024 Spaghetti Fest 🧤⭐️
Directed by
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11/12/2024

SHOWS THIS WEEK 🔒🃏🍴 swipe!

11/11/2024

CLOWNCHELLA kicking off the Spaghetti Festival 🍝🤡 thanks to everyone who joined us ⭐️

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11/09/2024

Some photos from last night’s Spaghetti fundraiser show 🍝🃏🥨🫧 thank you to all the performers and everyone who came out!

Address

1944 Riverside Drive
Los Angeles, CA
90039

Website

http://www.elysiantheater.com/

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Videos

THE SIMPLE CLOWN led by Zachary Steel still open for enrollement on our website 🤡 Go deep into the world of the Simple Clown with Zachary Steel, USC professor and Director of Comedy, who performs monthly on the Elysian stage with Cruel Babes. The simple clown is simply you without all the know-how and wherewithal, left only with hope and an unrelenting pursuit of fun amidst the unknowns of the audience, and the world around you. We will explore this version of us, vulnerable to even the slightest shifts, stripped of all the cleverness and the wit. We will progress to create, stumble through, and happen upon wild, physical, nonsensical comedic material, a celebration of our own personal ridiculousness. CLASS IN THE SKUNK ROOM: FRIDAY 12/13 from 1-5PM | SATURDAY 12/14 FROM 1-5PM | SUNDAY 12/15 FROM 1-5PM 🤡🤡🤡 enroll today 🤡🤡🤡

The Elysian presents the Edinburgh Percolator Saturday July 20th $10 tix all the live-long day 10:30AM Doors Open 11am-12pm Amando Houser-DeliaDelia! The Flat-Chested Witch 12:15-1:15pm Elizabeth Aziz-Live From the Brickyard Mall 1:30-2:30pm-Alex Kern Thank You So Much For Coming 2:45-3:45pm Madeleine Woolner-Jury Duty 4-5pm Griffin Kelly-Ladies Ladies Lotion Time 5:15-6:15pm Fielding Edlow-Gaslighting Is My Love Language 6:30-7:30pm Kelly Reilly-The Dolphin I Loved 7:45-8:45pm Chris Grace-Sardines (a comedy about death) 9-11pm Edinburgh Anonymous AFTERPARTY IN THE SKUNK ROOM *lineup subject to change

PITCHES ARE OPEN for the Elysian’s third annual Spaghetti Festival! Our annual new works festival showcasing wild new works of daring and uncategorizable shows from emerging talent. We’re looking for your💡unproduced great idea💡to bring to life for the first time on the Elysian stage! Selected shows will receive a performance slot, artistic development resources, promotional support, and more. Submit thru link in bio!

The Elysian’s Edinburgh Percolator starts this Saturday! Join us starting at 1pm in the theater as we spotlight Work in Process performances gearing up to travel to the biggest arts/culture festival on the planet, the Edinburgh Fringe. FIRST UP: Serenity Garcia (@serenityhasquestions) “The Little things” THEN: Amadeo Fusca (@amadeo_fusca) The Conductor AND: Natasha Mercado (@champagnetashi) #1 Son Catch Natasha at work in all four Percolators, as we feature the development of her show as we head into this year’s Fringe! $10 for the whole day! Link on our website 5-7pm EDINBURGH ANONYMOUS Are you going to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival? Thinking about it? Maybe next year? Undecided? Come one come all for our FREE community sessions after every Percolator showcase. We’re hosting various Q+As, workshops, and providing resources from our partners at @edfringe 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨🍻✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #edinburghfringe #elysiantheater #fringefestival

April 21! Hang up and call us now. Get ready for a time-bending, heart-melting cosmic circus. Your transcendent variety show from the celestial ether is taking The Elysian stage. Enjoy a bizarre evening of magic, drag, characters on characters, clown, art, and time-traveling friendship that leaves you wondering if you just fell in love. (You did.) Hosted by beautiful cosmic freaks Emily Maverick & Geri Courtney-Austein.

We will be doing DNA analysis and gonna come for ya monsters. Update: house left far worse than house right. Interesting. THANK YOU @tessthemessjackson ! 🫡🫧❌