A NOISE WITHIN
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Mission Statement
A Noise Within’s mission is to produce world-class performances of diverse classic theatre; to educate and inspire the public through programs that foster an understanding and appreciation of history’s great plays and playwrights; and to train the next generation of classical theatre artists. A Noise Within performs and promotes theatre as an essential means for our community to confront the universal human experience, expand personal awareness and challenge individual perspectives.
About This Cause
A Noise Within was founded in 1991 by Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott. Operating out of a former Masonic Temple in Glendale, they staged a production of “Hamlet” that was accessible and relevant at a time when classic theatre was not widely performed in Los Angeles. The twenty-year evolution from a small neighborhood theatre to the current capital campaign has been marked by constantly raising the bar on what great classical theatre can be. The move to a new, permanent home provides A Noise Within with expanded artistic possibilities, a greater scope of educational opportunities, and the capacity to meet demand and reach its full potential. Producing Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott are passionate in their belief that theatre can transform lives and better communities. Both hold a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Florida, and a master of fine arts from the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco: one of the leading theatre training programs in the country. During the theatre’s twenty-year history, they have mounted 141 productions and have consistently operated in the black maintaining good fiscal health for the organization. Over the past 32 years, A Noise Within has achieved prominence among Southern California’s best theatres, earning dozens of Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards. In 2023 Animal Farm received 7 LA Drama Cristic Circle Awards and Julia received award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing. In 2009, Jean Anouilh’s “The Rehearsal” garnered three nominations from the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, including Best Production of a Play. In 2010, Clifford Odets’ “Awake and Sing!” earned nominations for Best Production of a Play from both the LA Drama Critics Circle and the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, and was honored with the McCulloh Award for Revival (shows between 1920 and 1980). A Noise Within has also received a Polly Warfield Award for Excellence, and was the youngest company ever to receive the Margaret Harford Award for Distinguished Achievement. In 2012, A Noise Within Producing Artistic Directors, Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, were honored with the inaugural alumni “Contributions to the Field Award” by the American Conservatory Theatre (A.C.T.). The “Contributions to the Field Award” honors distinguished alumni and supporters who have contributed significant leadership in the field of theatre locally and nationally beyond their role as actors and founders. Fellow honorees were The William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Annette Bening, and Elizabeth Banks. With generous help from a supportive community and a lead gift from The Ahmanson Foundation, A Noise Within’s Producing Artistic Directors realized a twenty-year dream of building a permanent home for their unique brand of classic theatre in October 2011. “When we started, people thought we were crazy for trying the classics in Glendale,” says Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, Producing Artistic Director. “Then we said we’d raise money to build a theatre in what turned out to be a terrible economy. Nothing’s been ideal. But we’ve had incredible good fortune, a great board and dedicated patrons and artists” (Los Angeles Times, July 2012). The state-of-the-art theatre was built on the site of an historical landmark designed by acclaimed 20th century architect, Edward Durell Stone, most noted for Radio City Music Hall; the Center Theatre in Rockefeller Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and the JFK Center for the Performing Arts. The three-story, 33,000-square-foot facility, includes a 283-seat theatre, rehearsal space, scene and costume shops, box office, administrative offices, storage space, classroom space, and a learning resource center open to all teachers and students. During a time when arts education is an endangered species, A Noise Within dedicates 30% of its resources to education and outreach programs, and has served over 500,000 students over the past 30 years. Each year, the organization serves students from approximately 130 schools across more than 20 school districts. Through vital foundation and government support, A Noise Within provides scholarships to schools in need. Scholarships may include: busing to the theatre; reduced cost tickets to attend a live on-stage performance; post-show discussions with the artists; in-class workshops; and standards-based study guides. A Noise Within’s education program has five components: Classics Live!; Tickets for Teachers; Educator Professional Development Workshops; Study Guides; and the Classics Live! Learning Resource Center.