Support live theatre with Backstage at the Geffen. This signature annual benefit raises funds to support the Geffen’s ongoing commitment to offer access for theatre and arts education to under-resourced communities of Los Angeles. This year’s event will be a hybrid outdoor and live-streaming benefit, honoring Amanda Gorman (poet & activist) and power couple Nicole Avant & Ted Sarandos. Avant is a former ambassador (President Barak Obama), as well as an activist and a producer. Her husband Sarandos is the Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer for Netflix. 

This year’s event will be hosted by comedian, actor, writer and producer Tone Bell. Tone recently co-starred opposite Golden Globe winner Andra Day in Lee Daniels’ The United States vs. Billie Holiday, now streaming on Hulu. An accomplished stand-up comic who tours nationwide, Tone’s first one-hour comedy special Tone Bell: Can’t Cancel This can currently be seen on Showtime, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Tone’s forthcoming comedy album, One Night in Austin, will be released this fall.

It is a tradition for the theater to honor key entertainment industry figures who have made their indelible philanthropic mark on the community. 

Backstage at the Geffen provides an intimate setting for guests to enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from some of the most prominent celebrities in Hollywood, as well as surprise, unannounced performances that span the live arts spectrum. 

For this special event, Le Conte Avenue will be transformed into an intimate, outdoor fine dining and theater experience for 216 guests with the Geffen Playhouse as the beautifully lit backdrop. Enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner by Chef Abigail Chilton of Alligator Pear Catering, followed by a performance of music, dance, and intimate theater stories by secret celebrity guests. It’s one of the most sought-after tickets in town.

Past storytellers and honorees include Dave Chappelle, Helen Mirren, Billy Crystal, Quincy Jones, Julie Andrews, Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Kristin Chenoweth, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, Steve Martin, Carol Burnett, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Garner, to name just a few.

Backstage at the Geffen takes place on August 7, 2021 at 6:00pm. The streaming packages start at $300…with in-person VIP seating ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 (for a ten top table with dinner)! CLICK HERE to donate and reserve your tickets. Visit the website for more info – https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/