Whether or not theatergoers who come to see "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark" at the Geffen Playhouse are knowledgeable about the history of African-American actresses in Hollywood, chances are by the time the curtains close they will not only have gained interest in the topic, but also feel a desire to be friends with the fictional subject of the play. Read more...

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The West coast premiere of Lynn Nottage’s “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” took place at the Geffen Playhouse on Wednesday. Daily Bruin file photo

A tall, looming skeleton with arms spread open reveals its scrap metal rib cage and welcomes its guests as they shuffle silently through the Haitian art gallery. Read more...

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Shown above is a statue from the Fowler Museum’s “In Extremis,” an exhibit that celebrates life and death in 21st century Haitian art.

Seated in a small venue enclosed by narrow black walls, the stage is dark with white fluttering projections of the famous telltale moth. Read more...

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(Courtesy of Michael Lamont)

For 35 hours a week, Jessica Felix works diligently as a barista in Brentwood and saves up her tips in an old pickle jar, relabeled "Hopes and Dreams" "“ not to pay for a Eurotrip or a new car, but for comedy lessons. Read more...

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UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television alumna, Jessica Felix, has been writing and performing monthly with her sketch comedy team, Brute Squad, at Improv Olympic West in Hollywood.

As a young girl, fourth-year theater student Danielle Rosario suffered from a common adolescent knee condition but she refused to let it keep her from dancing. Read more...

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Fourth-year theater student Danielle Rosario played Diana Morales in the UCLA film school’s production of “A Chorus Line” this quarter.

The members of the video production company Extremely Decent adorn their walls with an antler-bearing can of Keystone Light, dual guitars, a large starfish and the plush head of a snow leopard mounted above a mistletoe. Read more...

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Ian McQuown (center) and his roommates David Crane (left) and Nick Smith (right), all fourth-year theater students, are a part of short-film production company Extremely Decent.