On July 14, The John Anson Ford Amphitheatre a.k.a Ford Theatres reopened with a civic dedication ceremony, marking the completion of a multi-year construction project, which restored, upgraded and enhanced the iconic and historic venue on Cahuenga Boulevard East in the Hollywood Hills. David A. Ford, chair of Ford Theatre Foundation, agrees that this restoration is good news for the community.
“The Ford offers a unique experience for local talent to get the experience of being on a world class stage,” said Ford. “That is the uniqueness of this theatre in which it brings that value and benefits for local artists who go on to become national and international performers.”
Ford is senior governmental affairs representative with Southern California Edison (SCE). He has 21 years’ experience in the utility industry and his current position in local public affairs, Ford oversees its operational departments and its customers before local, regional, state and federal governments in Los Angeles County. At the end of the day, like SCE, it’s his job “to deliver safe and reliable electricity,” said Ford. He is also co-founder of SCE’s nationally recognized Black History Month celebration “Connecting the Evolution of Electricity to Black History”.
It was working at SCE that offered a bridge to the board at Ford Theatres, which both organizations have a long-standing relationship. In 2014, Ford was approached by Ford Theatres to take a seat on their board. That invitation led to a successful stay on the board and led to him being offered the position of chair in 2016. This was a significant appointment as Ford is the first African-American to chair the Ford Theatre Foundation. In this position, he spoke about his involvement in the remodeling of the Theatre.
“I was heavily engaged in the operational phase of transition and had some oversight on the construction side of the remodeling of the Ford Theatre,” said Ford.
Located in the canyon of a 32-acre county regional park in Cahuenga Pass, Ford Theatres was built in 1931 after a brush fire destroyed the original 1920 wooden theatre. In 2010, 3rd District L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Los Angeles County Arts Commission Executive Director, Laura Zucker hired Levin & Associates Architects to develop a comprehensive plan to preserve the Theatre as a cultural resource and architectural landmark.
The remodeling process began in 2012, and in September 2014, Ford Theatres broke ground on the current $72.2 million project, which was the first major renovation and construction initiative since 1931. The project, designed by Levin & Associates Architects, with Mia Lehrer + Associates landscape architects, required a 21-month closure of the amphitheatre. In 2015, programming took place at venues off-site. In 2016, Ford Theatres reopened for a partial summer season with construction in progress.
“I’m honored to be a part of a foundation that really focuses on the diversity of California,” said Ford. “The artists that come to perform at the Ford [Theatre] look and are made up of the folks who live here, our communities, that represent Southern California.”
The IGNITE @ the FORD! Series started July 15 and runs throughout the rest of season. The Summer series brings to the Ford stage national and regional cultural collaborations with The Lincoln Center Festival and New York’s Apollo Theater, The Music Center, L.A. Opera, the Skirball Cultural Center and the Fountain Theater. IGNITE @ the FORD! will feature thought-provoking and world-renowned artists such as Grammy Award-winning Senegalese vocalist Youssou NDOUR, avant-garde Cuban music ensemble Síntesis, L.A.-based Latino/Chicano performance trio Culture Clash joined by legendary Latin R&B band Tierra and Chicana punk rocker Alice Bag, the West Coast premiere of Awáa by contemporary dance company Aszure Barton & Artists, a special performance by singer, songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright and many more.
“The Ford Theatre has never been short of showing the diversity of culture,” said Ford. “We all come together for a common good and that is to listen to some really good music and entertainment as well as enjoy the venue,” said Ford.
The Ford Theatres has embraced the melting pot that is California featuring talent from all cultures. Ford invites the community to come and see for themselves that this is a theatre that reflects them. He feels the cultural diversity Ford Theatre welcomes helps to unite the community of Southern California.
“Our mission is to continue to be a place in which family from all diverse communities in Los Angeles can come and experience a unique opportunity to see culture, diversity and enjoy ambiance and the hospitality that the Ford provides,” said Ford.
Tickets can be purchased at Fordtheatres.org or by calling (323) 461-3673. For more information, please visit FordTheatres.org, Facebook.com/FordTheatres, Twitter.com/FordTheatres.
