Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts

For almost three decades, the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts at Whittier College has offered outstanding programs that reflect the diverse interests and cultural backgrounds of Southern California.

In addition to serving as the home of Whittier College's Department of Theatre, Film, and Communication Arts, The Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts hosts cultural events, community productions, special performances, guest lectures, and holiday events.

Opened in 1990, the facility includes:

• Robinson Theatre, a mainstage with maximum seating capacity of 403, variable by configuration*
• Studio Theatre, a "black box" theatre with maximum seating capacity between 72-100, also variable**
• One traditional classroom
• Five faculty offices
• A Greenroom/Seminar Room
• Two Large Group Dressing Rooms
• Scenic and Costume construction studios
• Main Lobby and DramAlum Lobby
• Founders Room, for meetings and special functions
• Nixon Scholars Center, featuring collection of signed works.

Robinson Theatre - Variable Configuration and Acoustics

• Standard Proscenium Configuration (typical stage arrangement)
• Proscenium with Orchestra Pit
• Proscenium with Extended Apron
• Shakespearean-style Thrust Stage
• "Cabaret-style" with small apron extension, orchestra seating area chairs removed and replaced with tables and chairs
• Ballroom configuration (stage extended throughout entire orchestra seating area)
• Acoustical control via seven (7) green velour banners around the auditorium:
• Banners Down for spoken drama & amplified sound.
• Banners Up for acoustical music (orchestra, voice, piano).

Studio Theatre - Variable Configuration and Acoustics

• Completely movable platform and seating system for a wide variety of seating and performance configurations.
• Unique "Tension Grid" system in Studio Theatre enables complete access to overhead equipment without the use of ladders, while maintaining transparency for stage lighting.

Location

6760 Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 
562.907.4203
boxoffice@shannoncenter.org

Upcoming Events

Radium Girls

By DW Gregory
Directed by Katie Liddicoat
November 6-7 & 13-14 at 7:30 pm • November 15 at 2 pm

In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees. As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire.

Called a "powerful" and "engrossing" drama by critics, Radium Girls offers a wry, unflinching look at the peculiarly American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science.

Produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing

Tickets
$15 for general admission
$10 for faculty, staff, and alumni
$5 for students. Whittier College students get in free on Opening Night: Thursday, April 9, 2026 7:30 pm with student ID.

Tickets will be available soon on Purplepass.

If you have any questions, please call 562.907.4203 or send an email to rsilva@whittier.edu