Explore the Era

Delve into the postwar Los Angeles art world in this online archive, which provides additional material related to the exhibitions on view at the Getty Center. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and first-hand accounts with the artists.

Instant Theatre

Shortly after her arrival in Los Angeles in 1955, the French-born dancer and performer Rachel Rosenthal began to run improvisation workshops that attracted both inexperienced and seasoned actors. When she enthusiastically suggested that the group perform for an audience, however, all but a handful left. Undeterred, she founded Instant Theatre with those who remained. Over the next decade, Instant Theatre’s cast and home were constantly in flux. In 1963, for instance, the group performed at this location, which at the time was named the Horseshoe Stage Theater.

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  • Brochure for a performance at Instant Theatre

    Brochure for a performance at Instant Theatre, "Part of the forest is remaining unseen and the seen no longer is seen," ca. 1957, designed by Robert Alexander. Letterpress. The Getty Research Institute, Charles Brittin papers, 2005.M.11.25. Courtesy of the Temple of Man, Inc.