The Latino Theater Company will rename one of five theaters at downtown's Los Angeles Theatre Center complex in honor of award-winning Mexican American actress and community activist
Lupe Ontiveros, who was a founding member of the company.
According to artistic director
Jose Luis Valenzuela, "After Lupe's untimely passing in 2012, we decided that renaming one of the theater spaces here would be a wonderful tribute to our friend who paved the way for so many."
A multi-faceted performer, Ontiveros was equally at home performing on stage and screen. She appeared in the original 1978 production of "Zoot Suit" at the
Mark Taper Forum, as well as in over 100 movies and TV shows ranging from "El Norte" to "Desperate Housewives" to "Selena." Thanks to a generous contribution from SONY Pictures, the 250-capacity theater, formerly known only as "Theater 2," has been refitted to accommodate film in addition to live theater.
A private, invitation-only ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 17 to officially unveil the refurbished
Lupe Ontiveros Theatre. Guests will include actors
Edward James Olmos and Robert Beltran, Los Angeles City Councilmember Gil Cedillo, former Mayor of Los Angeles
Antonio Villaraigosa, and former member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Gloria Molina.
The Latino Theater Company has operated The Los Angeles Theatre Center, a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and a landmark building in Downtown's Historic Core, since 2006.
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