Mission

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.

LIZA SENECA, Co-Artistic Director

Liza is 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), The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Cloud 9 at Antaeus, An Evening of Betrayal (The 6th Act), 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), 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

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 most recent play, The $5 Shakespeare Company, was recognized as an LA Times Critics’ Choice. His award-winning play The Boomerang Effect is published by Concord Theatricals and has enjoyed productions throughout the US and England. He has been commissioned by LA Opera twice to write the librettos for two new operas, Orpheus and The Wreck of the Miranda (both collaborations with award-winning classical and film composer Nathan Wang). Directing credits include Hamlet (The 6th Act, winner of ‘Best Director of a Play’ Stage Scene LA Award), Legally Brunette (World Premiere - The Garry Marshall Theatre in LA, 54 Below in NYC), The Scorpion and the Frog: a time killer (World Premiere - Hollywood Fringe Festival), Double Play (World Premiere - Stephanie Feury Theatre), Barfly Shakespeare (The 6th Act), Twelfth Night (Village Green Productions), The Taming of the Shrew (Village Green Productions), Arrival (Sci-Fest LA), Human History (co-director, Sci-Fest LA), 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.