Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Cochran
Erica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I graduated from USC in 2005 and began to start my acting career, I realized two things: first, that many people pursuing their acting career came from a theatre family, and second, that the theatre community is very difficult to find in LA. Many theatres charge dues to make ends meet, and many actors could not afford to pay them, and many theatre companies were only putting on shows to try to impress casting directors and other people in Hollywood–not just producing theatre for the love of the craft. After a few months doing background work, I met enough females that I reached out to all of them and a few fellow USC graduates to see who wanted to start a nonprofit theatre with me.
Our humble beginnings started in my aunt’s kitchen, with women committed to creating a theatre family, not charging actors to participate, and wanting to put on quality black box theatre.
Fast forward to 2024, through car wash fundraisers, members getting married, COVID and everything in between, and we are still doing what we set out to do–our productions are at least 50% female, and we always put on shows that the actors, directors and producers pour their hearts into.
Although things have been incredibly hard since COVID, we are still working hard to stay afloat, currently renting space from the Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been smooth! We have always had very dedicated members and board members who have worked hard to make it as smooth as possible for everyone, but we have had to fight to keep around. Our hardest hurtle was COVID. We are definitely more designed for live theatre, so doing things during COVID was hard and less than our normal level of quality. Post COVID, most physical theatres closed, and the ones that are left are very expensive, so we have really been struggling to stay afloat. We have had a few problematic directors along the way, whose artistic visions did not align with the company, but we keep on surviving, and people continue to love to be a part of the company.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
By day I am a high school science teacher, and by night a nonprofit theatre director. It has always been so important to me to use both sides of my brain. I teach chemistry and environmental science at Granada Hills Charter High School. For theatre, we are known for our high-quality low cost black box theatre. Musicals like Sweet Charity, we make them work in a small place. We pride ourselves in making quality work, and it all has to do with the passion of the actors, directors and producers. We create that theatre family that so many creatives crave.
What are your plans for the future?
Because COVID has taken such a hit, and we are having trouble affording theatre rentals and rights, we may be expanding. A few of our members, including me, have gotten marriage and had families, so we are thinking of spreading our wings to do children’s theatre camps, youth soccer leagues, and more. It will help us to afford the traditional theatre we still want to do and provide a need in the community.
Pricing:
- $25 tickets at the door
- $2o tickets online
- $$ any amount donations, since we are nonprofit!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abovethecurvetheatre.com
- Instagram: @abovethecurvetheatre
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/abovethecurve
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