Steve Allen Theater

The Steve Allen Theater was a 99-seat performance space located on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, designed for experimental and comedy productions. The venue hosted regular Saturday night variety shows and focused on presenting new and unconventional work.

The venue opened in 2003 and operated for 14 years before closing in November 2017 under the artistic direction of Amit Itelman. During this period, it became a testing ground for new theatrical concepts that later found success on larger stages.

The venue served as a stage for developing original productions and hosting experimental performers who shaped comedy and music theater in Los Angeles. This role made it important for artists seeking to try out unconventional ideas in front of responsive audiences.

The theater was easily accessible on Hollywood Boulevard and offered affordable ticket prices, making it accessible to visitors on smaller budgets. Visitors should expect an intimate setting and experimental formats that differed from traditional theater.

The venue had an unusual no-recording policy that allowed performers to experiment freely with new material without fear of it being captured and shared online. This rule created a protected space for artistic risk-taking that was rare in the age of social media.