Outside In Theatre has officially announced its 2026–27 season, marking the Highland Park venue’s second year of programming with an expanded slate of scripted and unscripted performances, co-productions, artist development, education, and digital storytelling, according to the theatre.
Expanding Cultural Roots in Highland Park
The upcoming lineup follows an inaugural year that welcomed audiences from over 90 ZIP codes, with more than 60% of surveyed attendees visiting Outside In for the very first time, according to the theatre. Managing Director Maisha Azadi Sebastiany noted that the second year presents an opportunity to transition from a discovery venue into a recognized cultural institution.
Did You Know? During its initial year of operation, Outside In staged a total of 10 different productions, which featured Torera, Roger Guenveur Smith’s In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Room by the Sea, Octopus’s Garden and O: A Rhapsody in Divorce.
“We want to deepen our roots here in Highland Park while creating meaningful pathways for artists and audiences to engage with every part of the organization,” Sebastiany said, as stated by the theatre.
Scripted Mainstage Productions and Co-Productions
The 2026–27 scripted calendar features two primary mainstage productions and three scripted co-productions. The primary season opens September 20 with Before It’s Too Late, a comic solo work written and performed by Christopher Moncayo-Torres and directed by Bernardo Cubria, running through October 6 according to the company. The mainstage season wraps up between March 21 and April 6 with Thursdays Come at Morning, penned by Lee Cataluna based on an original story with extra material supplied by Les J.N. Mau, and under the direction of Jeff Liu.
The co-production slate kicks off October 25 with the world premiere of Coco Queens, created in partnership with Blackgical Productions, written by LaDarrion Williams, and directed by Jessica E. Williams. In December, the theatre collaborates with Celebration Theatre to present Trans Lineage: Desire Lines, running December 5–16 as a world-premiere trilogy by trans playwrights Nova Cypress Black, Astrid Solace, and Eka Savajol. Additional scripted partnerships include the fourth annual August in August Celebration of Black Theatre on August 29–30 and Sparrow and Finch Film’s I Dream a World… in February.
Expert Insight: Building upon partnerships established in its premier season, Outside In Theatre is set to broaden its collaborative co-production framework throughout 2026–27 by pooling creative backing, venues, and assets alongside various creators and groups across the Los Angeles area.
Unscripted Offerings and Community Programs
Unscripted programming returns with events such as Fantastic Tales, October’s Spooky Saturdays, and a special holiday edition of Austensibly Jane. Co-Artistic Directors of OI Unscripted Paul Hungerford and Matthew Pitner are also introducing Starship and an all-improvised Silent Movie directed by Kimberly Lewis, alongside the AF Comedy Fest and the theatre’s first 48-Hour Improv-A-Thon.
Producing Artistic Director Jessica Hanna emphasized the institution’s ongoing mission, stating, as reported by the theatre, “Theatre is an empathy machine, and we want as many people as possible to have access to it.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Outside In Theatre located?
Performances take place at Outside In Theatre, located at 5317 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042, in Highland Park.
Are ticket packages currently available for the 2026–27 season?
Yes, ticket packages are on sale now at OutsideInTheatre.org, offering bundle discounts including 20% off select tickets within a programming pillar and 15% off packages spanning multiple pillars.
What new educational offerings are featured this season?
New educational programs include Dramatic Improv, tailored for Asian American students, and Bridging the Gap, which makes acting techniques more accessible to improvisers and emerging actors.
Worth a look