Established in 1927, Theatre of Arts is recognized as the oldest school of acting west of New York City. The school has been in continuous operation since Ben Bard founded the Ben Bard Playhouse on Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. When Ben Bard was named the Head of Talent at Twentieth Century Fox, he relinquished the school's operation to the famous director, Max Reinhardt. At that time the school became known as the Max Reinhardt Theatre Workshop and was subsidized by the five major studios. Two years later, Max Reinhardt went on the road with his production, A Midsummer Night's Dream, starring Mickey Rooney and Olivia DeHavilland.
After Reinhardt's departure, Michael Chekov became the school's principal acting teacher. The school was then known as the Geller Theatre Workshop. Such renowned actors as Natalie Wood, Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, David Janssen, Robert Ryan, Alan Ladd, Ross Hunter and Robert Lansing, studied at this workshop.
In 1959, Ms. Valmar Oleska acquired the Workshop and renamed in Theatre of Arts. Since that time actors have been training for motion picture, television, commercials, voice-overs and theatre with great success. Alumni from this period include Charlene Tilton, Vic Tayback, Frank Bonner and Greg Mullavey, to name a few.
In January 2000, Theatre of Arts moved to it current location in the heart of Hollywood, as a part of Campus Hollywood. Theatre of Arts provides an innovative performing arts curriculum designed to prepare students for professional careers in theatre, televisions and film. Theatre of Arts has applied for accreditation from the National Association of Schools for Theatre.
Like we say at TOA, "From Craft to Career"
