The Geffen Playhouse (or the Geffen) is a not for profit performing arts theater in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Originally named the Westwood Playhouse, UCLA purchased the property in 1993. UCLA's then chancellor, Charles E. Young, appointed Gil Cates (founder and former president of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television) Producing Director. The theater was renamed in 1995 after media mogul David Geffen donated $5 million, one of the largest philanthropic donations ever made to an already constructed theater.
The Geffen Playhouse was built in 1929 as the Masonic Affiliates Club, or the MAC, for students and alumni at UCLA. One of the first 12 structures built in Westwood Village, it was designed by 'architect Stiles O. Clements.
In 2002, The David Geffen Foundation made a $5-million lead gift towards an eventually $17-million capital campaign to renovate the theater. The renovation was completed and the Geffen reopened on November 16, 2005; the historic character of the theater was maintained, but the interior was gutted. The renovation resulted in the main 500 seat theater being retained, as well as the new 125-seat Audrey Skirball-Kenis Theater being added.
The Geffen offers 5 plays per season on the main stage and 3-4 plays on the second stage (the Skirball-Kenis). The theater is known for having well known film and television actors in their productions. Some of the actors and actresses who have appeared in recent productions at the theater include: Jason Alexander, Debbie Allen, Annette Bening, Dana Delany, Roma Downey, Peter Falk, Neil Patrick Harris, David Hyde-Pierce, Carrie Fisher, Rebecca Pidgeon, Martin Short, Alicia Silverstone and Rita Wilson