Private Parts

[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Theatre West presents PRIVATE PARTS, an original show comprised of personal true stories crafted by the Theatre West Associates, directed by Laura James, produced by Garry M. Kluger and Rick Simone-Friedland and running May 31-June 2 only.

Private Parts is a collection of personal true stories, some funny and some moving, that make a difference. There is nothing more powerful than the truth, in life and in art. The sharing of true and personal stories is a gift to the ones who share and the ones who receive. It is a connection that brings us together with renewed energy and makes us all value the memorable moments in our own lives.

These heartfelt, intimate stories performed with sincerity and shared publicly for the first time make Private Parts a satisfying entertainment.

The Cast

Private Parts is written and performed by participants in Theatre West Associates, an apprenticeship program. The ensemble includes David Baer, Apurv Khanna, Mimi Kmet, Christopher Landis, Pamela Najera, Alexandria Sanders, Rick Simone-Friedland, Megan Smith, and Monika Vidakovic. 

The Team

Laura James directs. Her previous directing credits include works at Theatre West, Theatre 40, Idyllwild Conservatory, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the Actors Studio. She is also an actor (Theatre West, Classical Theatre Lab, Open Fist) with feature film and TV credits. Ms. James is also an educator.

About The Associates Program

The Associates Program at Theatre West provides a safe place to share any problems, doubts, fears, blocks, or questions about the craft of acting—issues that may interfere with your joy in the work. Learn from each other and ask that there be no judgment of each other. (I will perhaps suggest alternative choices that may be more specific). THERE IS NO GOD OR NO RIGHT OR WRONG IN THE CRAFT OF ACTING. We will attempt to discover what’s effective in each of you and expand on that. There is only one cardinal rule: NO VIOLENCE of any kind. To you or another fellow actor. NO MATTER WHAT. The one requirement to be part of this class is that you remain passionate and committed to the work. We will possibly touch areas where you may be uncomfortable. You always have the right to refuse any exercise. – But I ask that you stop, breathe, and reconsider. Unless there is anything life-threatening, we’re here to challenge ourselves and continue to hone the instrument so that it is more readily available. We will include a focus on scripted material, monologues, and scene work so that you become more alive, aware, and dimensional. The class is geared toward theatre, but since the theatre is the Mother of acting disciplines, TV and film techniques are more readily adaptable to the trained actor. Note: This class challenges you from where you are, whether it be beginning or if you’ve had many years of training and experience. Growth is a necessary ingredient in art at every stage of our lives. This class challenges you from where you are, whether it be beginning or if you’ve had many years of training and experience. Growth is a necessary ingredient in art at every stage of our lives.

About Theatre West

Established in 1962, Theatre West is celebrating its 62nd year as the oldest continually running professional theatre company in the city of Los Angeles. It is a membership collective of actors, playwrights, directors, and technicians. Theatre West’s alumni members include Ray Bradbury, Beau Bridges, Richard Dreyfuss, Sally Field, Betty Garrett, Martin Landau, Lee Meriwether, Jack Nicholson, Carroll O’Connor, Sherwood Schwartz, Joyce Van Patten, and Paul Winfield.  Theatre West has produced more than 300 plays and musicals.  Of these plays, nearly 70% are original works developed in its workshops and many have led to Broadway, regional tours, and feature films including A Bronx Tale by Chazz Palminteri; A Very Brady Musical by Lloyd Schwartz and Hope Juber; Our Man in Santiago by Mark Wilding that transferred to Off-Broadway in the Fall of 2022;  and our co-production of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground that went to Broadway in 2023.  Theatre West is supported in part by The Ahmanson Foundation, California Arts Council, Peter Glenville Foundation, The Green Foundation, Kaplan-Loring Foundation, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Lloyd E. Rigler-Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, and L.A. Parent Magazine.