Today operating as a live theater, the Culver Theater began its journey in 1947 as a cinema with 1,160 seats. The Streamline Moderne structure, notable for its distinctive signal tower name, was constructed and operated by Fox West Coast Theatres. The theater’s designer, George Skouras, is credited for the swirls and decorative adornments, richly stylized with a floral look that once framed the auditorium’s proscenium, spread along the theater walls, moved into the lobby, and wrapped around the kiosk. However, its exterior ornaments still beautify the ticket booth, the marquee, and the four-sided tower. The terrazzo flooring with floral motifs at the entrance complements Skouras’ theme.

In the 1970s, the single-screen cinema was converted into a triplex – a relatively easy remodeling given that the theater’s seating was open, stadium-style (without an overhanging balcony). Unfortunately, the 1994 Northridge earthquake forced the venue to close. But in 2004, after a two-year metamorphosis turning the cinema into a live theater, Culver was reconfigured and renamed. Thanks to the generosity of legendary actor Kirk Douglas and his wife Anne, along with a grant from the Culver City Redevelopment Agency, the Kirk Douglas Theater now features a 317-seat auditorium and a multi-use rehearsal and event space. While the interior has long lost its touches from the 1947 era, the theater’s striking exterior looks very similar to over 70 years ago.

Today, the “Douglas” is part of the Center Theatre Group (CTG), rubbing shoulders with The Ahmanson and The Mark Taper Forum. As the Center Theatre Group describes it, the Kirk Douglas Theatre “…is our home for new adventurous work. It’s where we do most of our world premieres, play with conventions, and take risks.”