The Music Center's Mark Taper Forum
Opened in 1967, the Mark Taper Forum (Taper) is The Music Center’s smallest and most intimate theatre and was designed for the production of dramas and experimental theater. It was named for S. Mark Taper, a prominent real estate developer, banker and philanthropist. The venue is the ideal stage for dramatic plays and productions by Center Theatre Group and has received virtually every theatrical award including a special Tony for theatrical excellence, which was awarded in 1977.
A circular building that measures 140 feet in diameter, the Forum rises from a reflecting pool. The upper 27 feet of the Forum cantilevers out from the base, which is covered in dark, split-face granite blocks. The dark granite mirrors that of The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion across Jerry Moss Plaza.
The Taper’s drum-like structure features a 378-foot-long cast concrete relief mural in an abstract pattern that encircles the theatre and suggests the movements of the performing arts. Designed by sculptor Jacques Overhoff, the relief is a repeating pattern that is seven panels in width with seven repeats, for a total of 49 panels; the artist chose seven panels as the width so the eye would never be able to see the repeating pattern given the circular shape of the building. Inside the Taper, the entrance features a 60-foot wall, created by designer Tony Duquette, called “Curved Wall”, which is composed of 50,800 abalone shell tiles.
Featuring a thrust stage that juts out into the audience, the theatre’s 736 seats are arranged in a semi-circle in classical amphitheater style, surrounding three sides of the stage. This design gives audiences the opportunity to view the performance from a variety of perspectives. As such, the theatre does not feature either a stage arch or curtain.
The Music Center oversaw a $30 million renovation of the Taper interior from 2007–2008 to upgrade its technical capabilities and audience amenities while maintaining the structural integrity of the original design. Award-winning architectural and design firm, Rios Clementi Hale Studios (now known as Rios), led the theatre’s architectural renovation.
As part of their work, the architects doubled the size of the lobby area, enhanced the abalone wall with recessed lighting and added a new main refreshment area. In addition, the lobby now includes mirrored columns a metal mesh wall covering called Cascade Coil Drapery, decorative terrazzo flooring and a raised ceiling and floor. By raising the lobby floor, the architects provided audiences with access to the theatre directly from Jerry Moss Plaza.
Featured at the Mark Taper Forum
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Sat May 18 7:00 PM
Center Theatre Group The Trial of the Catonsville Nine
Mark Taper Forum
The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, written by Daniel Berrigan and directed by Michael John Garcés, will be the first play featured as a Taper Legacy Reading when it returns to the Taper stage for a one-night-only reading on May 18. The pl...Show More
The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, written by Daniel Berrigan and directed by Michael John Garcés, will be the first play featured as a Taper Legacy Reading when it returns to the Taper stage for a one-night-only reading on May 18. The play received its world premiere at the Taper in 1971, in a production commissioned and directed by Center Theatre Group Founding Artistic Director Gordon Davidson. The reading will feature film, television, and Broadway veteran Bill Pullman (The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, Oleanna, Independence Day, The Sinner), taking on the role of the author, Daniel Berrigan, with additional casting to be announced soon.
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Tue May 07 8:00 PM
LA Phil Beethoven and Schumann
Walt Disney Concert Hall
From string quartets and piano trios to wind quintets or a brass ensemble, chamber music concerts feature members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic performing in small groups, creating an intimate and compelling concert experience. Come early and en...Show More
From string quartets and piano trios to wind quintets or a brass ensemble, chamber music concerts feature members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic performing in small groups, creating an intimate and compelling concert experience. Come early and enjoy a glass of wine on us to complete the perfect night out.
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Sun May 12 3:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program The Music Center and City of Monterey Park Present TAIKOPROJECT
320 W Newmark Ave, Monterey Park, CA
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
Utilizing authentic instruments hand-crafted in Japan, TAIKOPROJECT weaves tr...Show More
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
Utilizing authentic instruments hand-crafted in Japan, TAIKOPROJECT weaves traditional and modern forms of taiko together and share elements of their Japanese and Japanese-American culture.
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Learn MoreFree
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Sat May 11 2:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Arts Grown L.A. The Music Center and Glendale Central Library Present Kayamanan Ng Lahi
Glendale Central Library, Glendale, CA
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
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Learn MoreFree
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Sat May 11 2:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Arts Grown L.A. The Music Center and Glendale Library Present Leela Dance Collective
Glendale Central Public Library, Glendale, CA
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
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Learn MoreFree
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Sat May 11 12:30 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Arts Grown L.A. The Music Center and Estrella Park Present World Adventures with my Harp
Estrella Park, 1968 Estrella Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.
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Learn MoreFree
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Thu May 09 8:00 PM
Sun May 12 2:00 PM
LA Phil Dvořák and Ortiz with Dudamel
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Filled with drama, sweet longing, and unforgettable melodies evoking an American landscape seen through an immigrant’s eyes, Dvořák’s Ninth has become one of the most popular and performed symphonies. But both in recent performances and recordings...Show More
Filled with drama, sweet longing, and unforgettable melodies evoking an American landscape seen through an immigrant’s eyes, Dvořák’s Ninth has become one of the most popular and performed symphonies. But both in recent performances and recordings, Gustavo Dudamel has been praised for “[jolting] the familiar score with vitality and imagination” (The New York Times). When Spanish violinist María Dueñas premiered the concerto Ortiz wrote for her, the Los Angeles Times wrote that “a star was born,” praising her musical depth and effortless virtuosity. Dueñas teams up with Dudamel once more for an encore performance of Ortiz’s Altar de cuerda.
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Sat May 11 10:00 AM
Sat May 25 10:00 AM
Creative Ways | Mental Health Wellness Fair
Gloria Molina Grand Park
Join us for Gloria Molina Grand Park and Center Theatre Group’s Creative Ways | Mental Health Wellness Fair, a place embracing mental wellness through the arts. “Take Action for Yourself, Take Action for Others, and Take Action f...Show More
Join us for Gloria Molina Grand Park and Center Theatre Group’s Creative Ways | Mental Health Wellness Fair, a place embracing mental wellness through the arts. “Take Action for Yourself, Take Action for Others, and Take Action for your Community” at this inclusive gathering for all ages. Dive into two days engaging activities promoting well-being and health awareness. From cultural presentations to workshops, booth activities, and inspiring stage programs, there is something for everyone. This unique collaboration brings imaginative and exploratory experiences that use the arts to strengthen our communities.
As part of the CTG:FWD initiative, Center Theatre Group will host workshops at the intersection of arts and wellness, as well as activities celebrating the upcoming Ahmanson Theatre production of A Strange Loop, Michael R. Jackson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical exploring race, queer identity, and mental health challenges with humor and honesty.
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Learn MoreFree
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Thu May 09 8:00 PM
Sun May 12 2:00 PM
LA Phil Dvořák and Ortiz with Dudamel
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Filled with drama, sweet longing, and unforgettable melodies evoking an American landscape seen through an immigrant’s eyes, Dvořák’s Ninth has become one of the most popular and performed symphonies. But both in recent performances and recordings...Show More
Filled with drama, sweet longing, and unforgettable melodies evoking an American landscape seen through an immigrant’s eyes, Dvořák’s Ninth has become one of the most popular and performed symphonies. But both in recent performances and recordings, Gustavo Dudamel has been praised for “[jolting] the familiar score with vitality and imagination” (The New York Times). When Spanish violinist María Dueñas premiered the concerto Ortiz wrote for her, the Los Angeles Times wrote that “a star was born,” praising her musical depth and effortless virtuosity. Dueñas teams up with Dudamel once more for an encore performance of Ortiz’s Altar de cuerda.
Show Less
Tour The Music Center Campus
Free tours are available of all The Music Center's theaters.