Our Story
Find out how a 17-year-old and his high school Language Arts Teacher formed
an organization that has inspired nearly a million people throughout the United States.
Don't just read our History, Watch it!
2021: La Habra Depot
On June 1, 2021, Phantom Projects Theatre Group became the new managers, operators and programmers of the historic La Habra Depot Theatre.
Since then, working with the City of La Habra, the venue has been getting a complete makeover and renovation. New carpet, flooring, paint, equipment and much more, ensures that when the venue reopens in 2022, that it will be a high-quality venue to watch a wonderful array of performances and events.
2020-21 Covid Takes us Digital
When Covid closed down all of our tours and performances, Phantom Projects went digital.
Launching a Netflix-style streaming performance network, taking our classes digital, and exploring our La Mirada facility in a whole new creative way.
In December 2020, we hosted a live-stream fundraising telethon. The 2-day event raised nearly $10,000 and featured performances and appearances from past members of the Phantom Projects family.
2019 Going National
In 2019, Phantom Projects launched 2 national tours. The tours performed in Washington DC, Wyoming, Washington State, and California.
A major highlight for our teen members was our TEENS ON TOUR program selling out 2 performances at The Cam-Plex Arena in Gillette, WY. Our performances had a concert-style stage built just for us, allowing nearly 3,000 audiences members to see our show.
2017: 20 years of Phantom
DID YOU KNOW?
2016 YEA Award
Phantom Projects is awarded the first ever Scholarship Award by the Young Entertainer Awards.
The event, held at Universal Studios Hollywood, also honors Fergie with a lifetime achievement award. The presentation to Phantom Projects is made by Christine Devine, from FOX 11 News, Los Angeles.
2015 BroadwayWorld LA Awards
Phantom Projects wins 2 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Theatre awards for BEST DIRECTOR (Alexis Jacknow) and BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Max Herzfeld), after being nominated for 5 awards, including BEST PLAY (The Diary of Anne Frank), BEST ACTRESS (Joey Maya) and BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (Valerie Lohman).
2014 From 17 to 17
Our first ever gala is a giant reunion entitled: From 17 to 17. The event pays tribute to our founder, Steve Cisneros, who has guided the organization into its 17th year, after starting the company at the age of 17.
Performances from past and present Phantom performers and speeches and presentations help celebrate the past, while looking toward the future.
2013 A California Premiere:
Phantom Projects presents the California Premiere of THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM, 1963. The performance coincides with the 50th Anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, which acts as the backdrop of the play which is based on the popular book. The production features Justice Smith.
2011 NAACP Noms
The NAACP announces their Los Angeles Theatre Award Nominations, including Phantom Projects’ production of The Bluest Eye.
The show which originally premiered as part of our La Mirada Theatre season, extended and ran for 4 weeks at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica, received nominations for Best Lead Actress (Sola Bamis) and Best Featured Actress (Danika Butler).
2011 So. California Premiere
Phantom Projects presents the Southern California premiere of The Giver, based on the popular Newbery Award-winning book. The show, originally scheduled for just 2 performances, extends to 6 performances and sells over 7,000 tickets. The success of the show is covered by This Stage LA.
2010 Massive Costume Collection Donated
$500,000 worth of costumes are donated to Phantom Projects from the Costume House. The gift allows the company to add a new stream of revenue renting out the costumes to schools and theatres across the United States. It takes nearly 50 volunteers and 3 weeks of work to prepare for the arrival of the thousands of costumes. Articles in the Los Angeles Times, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and Whittier Daily News help announce the arrival.
2007 World Premiere
For the first time in nearly 10 years, a new play is penned by co-founder Bruce Gevirtzman. The show, Through These Eyes, confronts eating disorders and self-image. The show garnered wide-spread attention, including front-page articles in the Orange County Register and the Whittier Daily News. Additional articles in Backstage and Press-Telegram helped push the show to a near sell-out.
2007 Creation of THE YOUNG ARTIST PROJECT
With an expansion of funding from The City of La Mirada, the creation of The Young Artist Project, a program aimed at developing young talent is created. Since 2006, every year Phantom Projects produces their annual Young Artist Project which features a cast ages 16-23. The cast has only 14 days to create, rehearse, learn and perform their own unique production, giving performers complete artistic creativity. This unique theatrical event blends drama, hip-hop, poetry, comedy, film, dance, and storytelling.
2007 World Premiere
For the first time in nearly 10 years, a new play is penned by co-founder Bruce Gevirtzman. The show, Through These Eyes, confronts eating disorders and self-image. The show garnered wide-spread attention, including front-page articles in the Orange County Register and the Whittier Daily News. Additional articles in Backstage and Press-Telegram helped push the show to a near sell-out.
2006 A New Home
The City of La Mirada votes to increase funding for Phantom Projects to $38,300. The funding expands the length of a season from three shows to four and allows the troupe to move into a 5,000 square foot rehearsal hall. More information about the move in can be found here.
2001 La Mirada Theatre
Phantom Projects becomes the only theatre troupe to present an entire season of theatre aimed specifically at teen audiences at a professional performing arts venue.
La Mirada City Council votes to provide funding to Phantom Projects to present at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. In addition to touring shows, the troupe begins producing fully staged productions presenting historical based works, literary based works, and message-based shows for teens bussed in on field trips and for the general public during evening performances.
1996 Created by a 17-year old
Starting in his parents’ garage, the troupe begins with just one show a year…
Soon after, they become a resident presenting group at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
They expand and move into 1,000 sq ft warehouse.
They then move into a 5,000 sq ft warehouse.
And the growing never stopped…