The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company Programs
300 S. Raymond Ave, Ste. 9, Pasadena, CA 91105
About
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company Programs focus on performing arts, storytelling, and creative writing through the creation and performance of original plays. Participants work with peers to create an original play and take part in a live performance at the end of the semester. The programs also include exposure to professional theatre performances, theatre as an immersive tool for learning storytelling foundations, and theatre and cultural journalism with publishing opportunities in theatre and cultural journalism.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is a nonprofit arts organization that provides tuition-free high quality arts programs focused on the live theatre space. Since 1993, it has provided free access to dozens of year-long theatre residencies in Los Angeles focused on the creation and performance of original plays and exposure to professional theatre performances. The organization offers a Youth Theatre Conservatory for grades 9–12 that culminates in performance at DEVISE FEST, an annual showcase in Los Angeles, and a Youth Theatre Residency for grades K–8 that is ELA and VAPA aligned and culminates in a live performance at the end of the semester. Additional programs include the Voices From Inside program for system-impacted youth and a Youth Journalism Fellowship for ages 15–25 that includes professional mentorship and publishing opportunities in theatre and cultural journalism, along with publication of an annual DEVISE Magazine featuring youth voices in Los Angeles’s theatre scene. Since 1993, The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company has reached over 23,000 students, created more than 300 original plays, held over 8,000 workshops, and reached over 21,000 audience members.
The mission of The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is to mentor, educate, and enrich youth in under-resourced communities through the creation of collaborative original theatre. The organization has existed since 1993 and has grown from serving roughly 50 participants in Van Nuys into serving over 3,000 youth and families in more than 20 communities of Los Angeles annually. It provides free access to dozens of year-long theatre residencies in Los Angeles and serves over 3,000 youth and families in over 20 communities of Los Angeles each year.
Teaching Artist Jasmin Abernathy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Theater from Lehman College and is a SAG-AFTRA member. Teaching Artist Blythe Baten graduated with a B.A. from Colorado College and received graduate training at the New Actors Workshop conservatory program, where she studied with directors Mike Nichols, Paul Sills, and George Morrison, and participated in master classes taught by Michael Howard and Wynn Handman. Teaching Artist Christopher Baker has a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Education. Teaching Artist Ayla McCarthy Combes completed an MFA in Creative Writing at CalArts and received professional training from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. Teaching Artist Daniel Bisuano has worked with organizations including Homeboys Industries, Arts for Healing Justice Network, California Justice Leaders, and Inside OUT Writers, and serves on the board and committees of community advocacy organizations including the Reproductive Health and Equity Project for Foster Youth, the Integrated Health community with the Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership, and the BUS ambassador program with U.C. Berkeley.
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company serves over 3,000 youth and families in over 20 communities of Los Angeles annually and provides free access to dozens of year-long theatre residencies in Los Angeles. The Youth Journalism Fellowship is a collaboration between The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company and Stage Raw.
Testimonials from youth productions include lines such as, “I can love you from afar. It's okay. Just tell me you forgive me” from StillLegacy VAPA High School Conservatory 2025, and “It comes to a point where our words and protests are no longer sufficient... We need to stop fighting with one another” from Requerimiento No More, Legacy VAPA High School Conservatory 2026. Other lines include, “Her trauma doesn't justify her actions, especially not when she's hurting you” from What Love Isn't No More, San Fernando High School Conservatory 2025, and “I use humor now to make jokes about my past. It's...whatever. I love football, and that's all I ever want to talk about” from Different Angles No More, San Fernando High School Conservatory 2025. A line from Shrinking No More Boston Court Pasadena Conservatory 2026 states, “I'm done shrinking. I'm done apologizing for my feelings. And I am DONE loving someone who makes me feel like being myself is a problem.”
Last updated June 28, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is a nonprofit arts organization that provides tuition-free high quality arts programs focused on the live theatre space. Since 1993, it has provided free access to dozens of year-long theatre residencies in Los Angeles focused on the creation and performance of original plays and exposure to professional theatre performances. The organization offers a Youth Theatre Conservatory for grades 9–12 that culminates in performance at DEVISE FEST, an annual showcase in Los Angeles, and a Youth Theatre Residency for grades K–8 that is ELA and VAPA aligned and culminates in a live performance at the end of the semester. Additional programs include the Voices From Inside program for system-impacted youth and a Youth Journalism Fellowship for ages 15–25 that includes professional mentorship and publishing opportunities in theatre and cultural journalism, along with publication of an annual DEVISE Magazine featuring youth voices in Los Angeles’s theatre scene. Since 1993, The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company has reached over 23,000 students, created more than 300 original plays, held over 8,000 workshops, and reached over 21,000 audience members.
The mission of The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company is to mentor, educate, and enrich youth in under-resourced communities through the creation of collaborative original theatre. The organization has existed since 1993 and has grown from serving roughly 50 participants in Van Nuys into serving over 3,000 youth and families in more than 20 communities of Los Angeles annually. It provides free access to dozens of year-long theatre residencies in Los Angeles and serves over 3,000 youth and families in over 20 communities of Los Angeles each year.
Teaching Artist Jasmin Abernathy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Theater from Lehman College and is a SAG-AFTRA member. Teaching Artist Blythe Baten graduated with a B.A. from Colorado College and received graduate training at the New Actors Workshop conservatory program, where she studied with directors Mike Nichols, Paul Sills, and George Morrison, and participated in master classes taught by Michael Howard and Wynn Handman. Teaching Artist Christopher Baker has a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Education. Teaching Artist Ayla McCarthy Combes completed an MFA in Creative Writing at CalArts and received professional training from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England. Teaching Artist Daniel Bisuano has worked with organizations including Homeboys Industries, Arts for Healing Justice Network, California Justice Leaders, and Inside OUT Writers, and serves on the board and committees of community advocacy organizations including the Reproductive Health and Equity Project for Foster Youth, the Integrated Health community with the Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership, and the BUS ambassador program with U.C. Berkeley.
The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company serves over 3,000 youth and families in over 20 communities of Los Angeles annually and provides free access to dozens of year-long theatre residencies in Los Angeles. The Youth Journalism Fellowship is a collaboration between The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company and Stage Raw.
Testimonials from youth productions include lines such as, “I can love you from afar. It's okay. Just tell me you forgive me” from StillLegacy VAPA High School Conservatory 2025, and “It comes to a point where our words and protests are no longer sufficient... We need to stop fighting with one another” from Requerimiento No More, Legacy VAPA High School Conservatory 2026. Other lines include, “Her trauma doesn't justify her actions, especially not when she's hurting you” from What Love Isn't No More, San Fernando High School Conservatory 2025, and “I use humor now to make jokes about my past. It's...whatever. I love football, and that's all I ever want to talk about” from Different Angles No More, San Fernando High School Conservatory 2025. A line from Shrinking No More Boston Court Pasadena Conservatory 2026 states, “I'm done shrinking. I'm done apologizing for my feelings. And I am DONE loving someone who makes me feel like being myself is a problem.”
Last updated June 28, 2026.
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