THEATREDNA CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF MAKING SUPERB PERFORMANCE SPACES WORLDWIDE

This year, we’re celebrating a big milestone at TheatreDNA: 10 years of doing the work we love. What started in 2015 as a shared idea between two theatre practitioners has grown into a full-service planning and design firm for performance venues, with more than 400 projects behind us—and plenty more ahead.

Our story really begins backstage. Before TheatreDNA existed, we were production managers and designers at San Jose Repertory Theatre, learning firsthand what it actually takes to create, operate, and sustain a performing arts facility. That hands-on experience shaped everything that came next, including our path into theatre consulting and the opportunity to collaborate on some of the world’s most significant cultural projects alongside architects like Frank Gehry, Renzo Piano, Rem Koolhaas, Moshe Safdie, and SANAA. Eventually, we made a deliberate choice to step away from the big-corporate consulting world and build something different—a nimble, boutique practice focused on meaningful work with inspiring people.

Over the past decade, that philosophy has taken us all over the map. We’ve partnered with community theatres, universities, municipalities, and global entertainment organizations, working on projects that range from renovated historic theatres in small towns to large-scale cultural precincts halfway around the world. No two projects are ever the same—and that’s exactly how we like it.

From day one, we’ve believed that the best performance spaces happen when design and operations are considered together, and when artists, operators, and audiences are kept at the center of every decision. Ten years in, that belief still guides everything we do. The last decade has reinforced that a boutique firm can thrive by choosing creativity, collaboration, and authenticity over sheer volume.

As we look ahead, our next chapter is about growth—thoughtful, intentional growth. We’re expanding our geographic reach beyond California, with new regional offices in development in Portland and Dallas to better support clients across the West and Southwest. We’re also continuing to deepen our Strategic Operations and Business Planning services, building on the recent acquisition of Victor Gotesman Performing Arts Planning to better support venues at every stage of their lifecycle.

Just as important, we’re investing in our people. Developing the next generation of theatre planners and designers—and giving them real opportunities to lead and shape our future—is core to who we are as a firm.

At the end of the day, we feel incredibly fortunate to spend our time building homes for artists and the communities they serve. Ten years in, we’re energized, grateful, and excited for what’s next.