Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
In the fall of 2019, the co-founders Daniel Blinkoff and Tamlyn Tomita with a group of theatre makers, established brand new theatre company, Outside In Theatre’, with the vision to create new scripted, unscripted and digital theatre productions. By collaborating with local artists and theatre companies, they are interested in ‘producing daring, dynamic, and bold stories by unheard voices.’
The new spacious theatre was completed in September of 2025 with the modern, tastefully put together café type space in front, which serves as a communal area during the day for projects, meetings, free Wi-Fi, and small menu, which is accessible to everyone who walks through the doors.
By creating brave space for all, Outside In Theatre, focuses on presenting the plays that are new to Los Angeles, and with interesting performances they want to highlight their talents, both on stage and behind the scenes. Producing Artistic Director Jessica Hanna says, ‘At Outside In, we offer many forms of theatrical expression and experimentation. To laugh, to weep, to be lifted by the joy of witnessing artists practicing the ancient art of storytelling, these experiences fill us with energy that we then carry outside into our communities. We invite you to experience all of it with us.’
Their new play Breaking Bread is a completely improvised theatrical experience that unfolds around a shared dinner table. Each night, a new “family” forms, relationships develop in real time, and no two dinners are ever the same.
The show features an amazing ensemble of improvisers who create a new story each night by figuring out who they are, who they are in relationship with, what they will say, and on top of everything – everyone has a secret, which is supposed to be revealed by the end of the story. They have abundance of rich food choices on the table, and they truly eat, and listen, and respond. Everything is so real. The timing was wonderful on all reactions. Throughout the show I was trying to figure out if the show is scripted somehow.
Produced and wonderfully directed by Quinn Alquetz, Monica Alquetz, Matthew Pitner, and Paul Hungerford, the playful ensemble with great improvising skills are Keiko Agena, Monica Alquetz, Quinn Alquetz, Daniel Blinkoff, Carin Brito, Alrinthea Carter, Eric Carthen, Will Choi, Sarah Claspell, Dave Hill, Paul Hungerford, Qalil Ismail, Joseph Limbaugh, Gabi Marler, Matthew Pitner, Kari Vanegas, and Ruby Willmann. They give us an unguarded, emotionally honest, funny and transformative storytelling. If you like improv a lot, or not so much, you might find this performance intriguing and very satisfying. Recommended!
The dazzling Lighting & Tech Improvisation is done by Arlo Sanders, Maisha A. Sebastiany is the Managing Director, Paul Hungerford is Associate Artistic Director, Matthew Pitner is General Manager & Creative Producer, and Jeffree J Davis (He, Him, His) is the Publicist, and the Co-founder and Artistic Advisor of 99 Seat Production.
The Artbox at Outside In Theatre also holds monthly acting and improv classes for everyone who is interested in this kind of theatre expression.
Hanna also said, ‘Outside In Theatre is a space for development, of plays, stories, artists, community, and all the ideas humanity can dream up. I believe theatre is world-building. We go to the theatre to see ourselves in crisis and to learn how we might find our way through. What is the world you want to live in and how do we get there? Theatre is, by nature, a collective act. We must come together for a shared experience and hold space for one another to feel empathy. Empathy is a muscle, it must be worked, practiced, and strengthened with focus and energy. This is how we grow, heal, and move the culture forward. Our greatest needs right now are awareness, steady audiences, and deeper local partnerships.”
I’d like to briefly mention the future lineup of scripted shows. They’ll be Co-producing “Room By The Sea” with Coin & Ghost Theatre written by John Guerra, “O: A Rhapsody In Divorce” by Jami Brandli, and Co-producing “Octopus’s Garden” with Boston Court Theatre and Circle X Theatre written by Weston Gaylord.’
The theatre is located at 5317 York Blvd in the historic Highland Park neighborhood of LA. The show runs for six Saturdays at 8 PM, November 15 through December 20. General admission is $20. The tickets can be purchased at www.outsideintheatre.vbotickets.com
Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood.
You can also follow them on Instagram: @outsideinthtr