Center Theatre Group’s 50th Extravaganza
Case Study
Industry: Non-profit
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
Audience Size: 900 Guests
Scope: Full Technical Design + Execution
Environment: Theater + Outdoor Civic Space Transformation
Client: Center Theatre Group
- Technical DirectionCAD Drawings/Floor Plans
- Show Direction/Stage Management
- Audio, Lighting and Video Equipment
- Engineering
- City Permitting
- Stage Design and Execution
- Content Creation (LED tables + Projection Mapping)
Capabilities
THE CHALLENGE
Celebrating 50 years of artistic excellence required more than a gala. Center Theatre Group’s legacy is rooted in storytelling, representing the voices, culture, and evolution of Los Angeles through live performance. The non-profit event needed to honor that history while inspiring continued support for the future.
The Complexity
- 900 guests
- Multiple venues within walking distance
- A public park never previously used as a formal dining environment
- L.A. City Hall as a potential projection surface
- Sustainability requirements
- High-profile attendees and donors
This wasn’t just production support. It required transforming a civic space into a cohesive narrative environment without losing intimacy or theatrical precision.
THE STORY
The theatrical arc began in the Ahmanson courtyard, transitioned into live performances inside the theater, and then moved outward into Grand Park (with the L.A.-based Ozomatli band) where the story expanded across architecture and landscape.
Instead of traditional décor, we designed the environment itself to carry the narrative:
- Custom LED dining tables glowing with animated dimensional florals
- Projection-mapping across the facade of City Hall. Synchronized content tying tabletops to architecture
- Fountain lighting transforming public infrastructure into theatrical centerpiece
The goal of this non-profit event wasn’t spectacle–it was immersion. Every surface became storytelling real estate.
THE SYSTEM
We engineered:
- Elevated decking 12–14 feet above sloped park terrain to create a stable dining platform for 900 guests
- Projection systems calibrated to City Hall’s facade geometry
- Custom LED table builds with synchronized media control
- Coordinated lighting architecture across theater, park, and civic structures
- Multi-location show control spanning indoor and outdoor environments
Because we designed, engineered, and operated the full system (lighting, projection, LED integration, content synchronization, and show execution), the creative intent remained aligned from initial rendering to final show. There was no translation gap between concept and infrastructure.
THE MOMENT
Guests weren’t watching history–they were seated within it. The city of Los Angeles itself became the stage.
THE RESULTS
- 900 guests seamlessly transitioned across multiple environments
- Public space transformed into a theatrical set
- Civic architecture activated as a narrative canvas
- Donors were inspired by a fully embodied legacy experience
With our own foundation in theatrical design, this project represented what happens when art and infrastructure align.
When story leads and systems integrate, impact follows.
We have gotten nothing but praise, praise, and praise for the entire event, and I know you guys impressed the hell out of them.
Thanks for your tireless efforts, professionalism, and the care you take
Colleen Downs, Senior Producer, J Ben Bourgeois Productions Inc.
with us and our client to make sure all is seamless.
Unique abilities, superb attitudes, and professionalism
Steven Smith, White House Communications Agency
enabled our agency to provide critical communications for the President of the United States.
As usual, you solved the problem (someone else’s problem at that!) and the client never knew…
The BI team never ceases to amaze me
Tom Bercu, Principle, Tom Bercu Presents
and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that!
I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for your can-do work ethic this past weekend,
you all were fantastic and the team effort was amazing.
Paul A. Marks, Sr. Producer, J. Ben Bourgeois Productions, Inc.
As you know this is not a one-person event, it takes the hands of many to make it all happen, you all were a HUGE part of that team. Again, THANK YOU!”
Your AV team played a crucial role in Last night’s event success.
From setup to execution, everything ran smoothly and seamlessly.
arolina Quijano, Director, Global Events, Oceana
The sound, visuals, and overall technical setup were of top quality, and we received many compliments from attendees on the production value. We truly appreciate your dedication, attention to detail, and willingness to accommodate our wild ideas! It is always a pleasure working with you, and we look forward to doing it again next year!”
You never cease to amaze me!!!
I wanted to send a heartfelt thank you for a truly incredible event. You made it truly remarkable.
Tom Bercu, Owner & Creative Director, Tom Bercu Presents:
The feedback from all of the guests and from the client have been incredible. People were truly blown away and we so LOVE working with you. Your flexibility, can-do attitude, patience and guidance are so appreciated. You are always five steps ahead of the game and I couldn’t imagine doing this project without you! We look forward to working with you again soon.”
From planning to execution, your team treated my event like it was the only one that mattered.
Jessica Rowland, Director of Alumni Engagement and Programs, California State University, Fullerton
Their level of customer service and attention to detail is one of a kind. They really knocked it out of the park!
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with everyone at Brite Ideas. We appreciate our partnership and look forward to many more years working together.
Our Vision & Visionaries event was once again a success, and it was because of your amazing team!
