Our mission is to keep the vitally important tradition of classical theatre alive, while making it accessible and exciting to modern audiences. We strive to create experiences that are equal parts enrichment and entertainment, to produce shows that will appeal equally to die-hard Shakespeareans, and those who claim to hate Shakespeare alike. Shows that offer fresh takes on timeless stories. We aim to build a creative community that fosters artistic risk, intelligence and inclusivity. We are the 6th Act.

Founders

Matthew Leavitt, Co-Artistic Director

Matthew Leavitt, a life-long Los Angeles native, is an award-winning playwright, director and librettist. After a summer of studying playwriting at Harvard University, he was a semifinalist in the Young Playwrights National Playwriting Competition founded by Stephen Sondheim, for his play Losers and Fools. Leavitt later graduated from Pomona College with a degree in Creative Writing. His award-winning play The Boomerang Effect (published by Samuel French) had hugely successful runs at both The Odyssey and The Zephyr Theatres in Los Angeles, and has enjoyed productions throughout the country. In 2013, he was commissioned by Placido Domingo and LA Opera to write the libretto for a new opera Orpheus with award-winning classical and film composer Nathan Wang. Leavitt and Wang are currently collaborating with on their second LA Opera commission, a new opera The Wreck of the Miranda. Directing credits include Barfly Shakespeare (The 6th Act), Twelfth Night (Village Green Productions), The Taming of the Shrew (Village Green Productions), Arrival (Sci-Fest LA), Human History (Sci-Fest LA), Crossed Currents (JANM Tateuchi Democracy Forum), Ladies of State (Working Stage), Goes The Weasel (Ammunition Theatre Company), as well as assistant director/dramaturg for Romeo and Juliet at A Noise Within.

Liza Seneca, Co-Artistic Director

Lizais originally from The Netherlands, but has called Los Angeles home for many years now. An actress, producer, and director, she has appeared on countless LA, NYC, and regional stages.  Select theater credits include Ameryka (Center Theatre Group/Critical Mass), Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Cloud 9 at Antaeus, Pericles, Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, & 3, and The Merchant of Venice with the Porters of Hellsgate, Macbeth (Colorado Shakespeare Festival), Pulp Shakespeare (NYC and LA Premieres), Collected Stories (The Group Rep), Matthew Leavitt's The Boomerang Effect (World Premiere - Odyssey), A Shayna Maidel (ICT), and Much Ado About Nothing (Kentucky Shakespeare). She is a member of both The Antaeus Company and The Porters of Hellsgate. She has been seen on television in recurring roles on The Following and Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures, Grey’s Anatomy, Lie to Me, Monk, Big Love, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and Alias. Her film work includes Night Eyes, Zwartboek (Black Book), and The Drama Club, among others. Her voice can be heard in numerous commercials, industrials, and films, including Ready Player One, Finding Dory and Lego Batman. She is the co-creator and producer of the Bard tribute series This Week in Shakespeare - www.youtube.com/weeklyshakes