The Ford

Established in 1920. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, the John Anson Ford Theatres is one of the oldest and historically significant performing arts venues in Los Angeles. Located in a regional park, the Ford is operated by the County of Los Angeles through a three-way partnership between the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Ford Theatre Foundation. The Ford was built in 1920 as the site of The Pilgrimage Play. The author, Christine Wetherill Stevenson, believed the rugged beauty of the Cahuenga Pass would provide a dramatic outdoor setting for her play. After the original structure was destroyed by a brush fire in 1929, the amphitheatre was rebuilt of poured concrete and designed in the style of ancient Judaic architecture to resemble the gates of Jerusalem. For nearly 100 years, artists and audiences have come to the Ford Theatres to experience powerful moments in an intimate and magical gathering place.