International City Theatre

International City Theatre

Celebrating 40 seasons in Long Beach in 2025, International City Theatre entertains, educates, inspires, and provokes thoughtful dialogue through live theatre. Founded in 1985 at Long Beach City College and moving downtown to the Beverly O’Neill Theatre in 1996, ICT has become a staple of Long Beach’s thriving arts community. Recognized as The Official Resident Professional Theatre Company of Long Beach by unanimous City Council vote in 1999, ICT annually presents five mainstage productions that encompass a range of genres, including musicals, classic works, comedies, and dramas. With a focus on showcasing new talent and original pieces, our seasons often feature World, National, or West Coast premieres. Our commitment lies in creating theatre that is timely, entertaining, relevant, and engaging.

ICT is committed to:

• Contributing to the preservation and development of theatre as an art form.
• Participating in creative leadership to solve problems and address issues in our field.
• Presenting the highest quality productions and education programs possible to reach our diverse community, including underserved and disadvantaged children, youth, families and seniors.

Five Main Stage Productions

Award-winning theatre with more than 500 professional awards including the Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Circle Award for Sustained Excellence and, out of hundreds of theatres, the Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Award for Outstanding Season in 2015. 2017 named BEST LARGER THEATER by Stage Scene LA.

198 productions to date and about 50% premieres (World, American, West Coast, California, LA)

To celebrate our milestone anniversary, we have presented our community with a season comprised entirely of premieres, inviting our audiences to “See it First at ICT!” We will be announcing our 41st season soon for 2026.

When You Support ICT, You Support Arts Education

Education is a cornerstone of ICT’s long-standing commitment to our community. Annually, our 6 education programs create equity in our community and provide access for all.   

• Performing Arts Classroom Teaching (PACT) Program: A curriculum-based, in-school program for the third grade, reinforcing literacy and language skills that meet the California Standards for Visual and Performing Arts. 480 classroom visits annually! 
• Senior Outreach Program: Provides free tickets and transportation to low-income seniors to keep them mentally active and socially engaged, adding to their quality of life and longevity as research supports. 
• Summer Youth Conservatory: Trains children ages 7 through 15 in acting, singing, dancing and playwriting for 4 weeks, culminating with a performance in the theatre (no auditions necessary). We train everyone.
• Students to Stage: Introduces students to age-appropriate professional productions on the main stage. 
• Free Saturday Family Theatre Series: Offers an introduction for children and their families, many of whom are low-income and underserved, to age-appropriate educational theatre productions.
• Internship Program: Trains serious high school and college students to work with professionals behind the scenes or in administration. These are paid internships, and some have received their union card through ICT. 

Words From Our Community

"Great program! The students love it, and it gives us a chance to see students' hidden talents we might not otherwise see. Good intro to writing skits and performing so that we can continue in the classroom!" - LBUSD teacher

"Today I learned expressions, fun activities, actor stretches, and that I LOVE theatre. Thank you so much for sending Mrs. Shelly to teach us so much in only 3 classes. Have a nice day and keep doing this at other schools too!" - LBUSD student

"The Conservatory helped me to feel a lot more confident." – Marcus, LBUSD 3rd Grader

"It gives you experience and trains you to be comfortable in front of an audience. It gives you an opportunity to reach your dreams." – Jordan, Conservatory Student

"Wonderful range of stories, reflecting the diversity of our community, engaging and interactive for children." – Conservatory Parent

"I found something inside myself that I didn't know existed." – 15-year-old high school student

“The Senior Outreach Program is an excellent opportunity for seniors to enjoy the theatre. This has pleased me tremendously. I love the theatre, the live plays, excellent writers, and acting. The bus service provided makes all of this possible. Thank you for caring for the senior community.” – Cheryl, Senior Outreach Program Participant