As the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts approaches its 50th anniversary, city officials have announced the appointment of veteran theatre professional Jason Daunter as the venue’s new Theatre Director.
Following a nationwide search, Daunter officially assumes leadership of the Tony-nominated theatre, where he will oversee operations, programming, facilities, and staff for one of Southern California’s most respected performing arts venues.
La Mirada City Manager Jeff Boynton welcomed the appointment, citing Daunter’s extensive background in theatrical production, arts administration, and educational outreach.
“We are excited to have Jason join the City of La Mirada as our new Theatre Director,” Boynton said. “His experience working with high-quality productions and organizations will be of tremendous benefit to the theatre as it nears its 50th anniversary and beyond.”
Daunter brings more than 25 years of professional theatre experience to the position. His career began at Stages St. Louis and has since included work on Broadway, national tours, regional productions, arts education initiatives, and major entertainment projects.
His Broadway and touring credits include acclaimed productions such as Wicked, To Kill a Mockingbird, West Side Story, Chicago, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with celebrated performers including Meryl Streep, Bryan Cranston, Kevin Kline, Laurie Metcalf, Jeff Daniels, Laura Benanti, Calista Flockhart, Amy Schumer, and the late Chita Rivera.
Regionally, Daunter has worked with organizations including the Geffen Playhouse, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, The Muny, Carnegie Hall, and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. At Segerstrom Center, he recently helped develop the organization’s upcoming 40th anniversary celebration and created educational masterclass programs featuring artists such as Michael Bublé and Hugh Jackman.
Beyond production work, Daunter has earned recognition for his commitment to arts education and advocacy. He previously served as Artistic Director for the Educational Theatre Association and has worked with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the American Theatre Wing’s Obie Awards, and numerous educational initiatives nationwide. His contributions to student theatre have earned him both the Educational Theatre Association’s President’s Award and Founder’s Award.
Most recently, Daunter worked with Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Live Entertainment on the launch of the Disney Destiny cruise ship.
In a statement announcing his appointment, Daunter emphasized his commitment to both artistic excellence and community engagement. “I have spent my career at the intersection of artistic excellence and operational vision,” Daunter said. “La Mirada Theatre is exactly the kind of institution where those two things matter equally. I look forward to building on the theatre’s legacy, expanding its reach through bold programming and meaningful arts education, and continuing to make this theatre a special home for artists and audiences alike.”
Since opening in 1977, the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts has established itself as one of Southern California’s premier regional theatres. The venue has received numerous accolades, including Tony, Emmy, and Ovation Award nominations, and was once described by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the best Broadway-style houses in Southern California.”
Located at 14900 La Mirada Boulevard, the theatre continues to serve as a cultural centerpiece for the community, attracting audiences from throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties.
With Daunter now at the helm, city leaders hope to build upon the theatre’s long tradition of excellence while positioning it for continued growth in the decades ahead.
by David Elzer
