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How Los Angeles' Public Assembly Is Redefining Theatre With 12-Minute Plays

A $5 ticket, an open bar, and sold-out shows in 30 minutes. This LA theatre company turns fleeting ideas into cultural lightning—before discarding them forever. What if creativity didn't need years to shine?

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2 min read
The image shows a drawing of a theater with people sitting in the auditorium. The walls are...
The image shows a drawing of a theater with people sitting in the auditorium. The walls are decorated with intricate designs and the ceiling is adorned with lights. At the bottom of the image, there is text written in a decorative font.

How Los Angeles' Public Assembly Is Redefining Theatre With 12-Minute Plays

Public Assembly, a Los Angeles theatre company, has been shaking up the arts scene since its launch in 2018. Known for its fast-paced, reactive plays, the group offers a fresh alternative to Hollywood's slow-moving creative process. Each month, it stages three original 12-minute works—developed and performed in just four weeks—before moving on to the next set.

The company was created to tackle problems in the film industry, like high entry barriers and lengthy production times. Instead of waiting years for a project to materialise, Public Assembly encourages rapid creativity without the fear of cancellation. Its plays often reflect current cultural issues, providing quick commentary on topics that traditional entertainment struggles to address.

Public Assembly's approach is unconventional in every sense. Shows are held in unusual venues, from Masonic lodges to American Legion halls, attracting a mixed audience—including celebrities like Brie Larson and Daniel Scheinert. Tickets, priced at just $5 with an open bar, sell out within 30 minutes, proving the company's popularity.

The creative process is open to anyone who has attended a show. Submissions of 400-word plays, based on a monthly theme, are reviewed, and three are selected for development. Over a month, these pieces undergo intense workshops before being performed. After the final show, they are discarded, much like mandalas, making each production a fleeting experience.

Most of the work is done by volunteers, with performers earning a share of ticket sales. Writers, many from low-income backgrounds, benefit from free workshops and writing labs. The company enforces a strict diversity policy, ensuring a wide range of voices are heard on stage.

The plays themselves are marked by a unique style—blending screwball humour, abstraction, and bold staging. This mix of energy and experimentation has set Public Assembly apart in the theatre world.

Public Assembly continues to grow, offering a platform for quick, fearless storytelling. Its model—fast production, low costs, and inclusive participation—challenges traditional entertainment structures. With sold-out shows and a loyal following, the company has carved out a distinct space in Los Angeles' cultural landscape.

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