By Long Beach theater lovers will be eating well this year.
For four decades, the International City Theatre has served as a cultural cornerstone, offering award-winning productions alongside educational and community outreach programs.
2025 marks ICT’s 40th anniversary.
For Artistic Director and Producer Caryn Desai, the anniversary highlights the progress she and her husband, ICT founder and former leader Shashin Desai, have made.
“I’ve been involved with ICT from the time it started, doing things like volunteer administration, open night parties, catering, whatever,” Caryn said. “Once I graduated from grad school, I was made the general manager but I wasn’t paid because there was no money.”
International City Theater’s Artistic Director and Producer Caryn Desai points to her name commemorated at the Inspirational Women Forum & Leadership Awards. Photo courtesy of International City Theater.
ICT began in 1985 when Shashin, then-chairman of the theatre, dance, and film departments at Long Beach City College, noticed a lack of local opportunities for talented graduates. With access to a small black box theater on campus, he convinced administrators to let him create a professional company.
“I didn’t get paid for seven years… I taught college at different schools, I was a freeway flyer– all to earn a living to take care of my kids while I helped build a theater company,” Caryn said.
Through their volunteer efforts, the Desais launched ICT at no cost to the school, impressing administrators and securing its future.
In 1996, ICT moved to the larger Beverly O’Neill Theater in downtown Long Beach, where it remains today. In 2010, Shashin retired and Caryn was named head by the company’s board.
Today, ICT attracts 30,000 audience members annually, runs six educational and outreach programs and has earned over 500 awards, according to their website.
The 1993 cast of ICT’s production of Opera Comique poses in full costume. ICT’s head, Caryn Desai, said that over the years, familiar faces have visited the theatre as both actors and audience members, including famed Game of Thrones actor Pedro Pascal, who performed in a show in 1999. Photo courtesy of International City Theater.
In celebration of their “ruby” anniversary, the ICT will embark their 2025 season with five premiere shows, meaning the shows have never been directed, performed and viewed within California.
The lineup includes three Los Angeles premieres (Desperate Measures, The Angel Next Door, and Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt 2B), one American premiere (The Violin Maker, directed by Caryn) and one world premiere (Masala Dabba).
“Arts and education are my passions, and providing access for all is important,” Caryn said. “We have six education programs, so there’s something for every demographic and every age, from [ages] four to 104.”
These outreach programs, established by the Desais from the beginning, remain a cornerstone of ICT’s mission.
A front view of the Beverley O’Neil Theater taken on Jan. 21. Photo Credit: Delfino Camacho
“We have six different education programs,” ICT marketing associate Angel Robbson said. “There’s the Summer Youth Conservatory, Free Saturday Family Theater, the PACT (Performing Arts Classroom Teaching) program, Students to Stage, our Senior Program and internships.”
Robbson, a fourth-year performing arts major at Long Beach State, said they most appreciate the Students to Stage and Senior Programs, which provide free tickets to those with limited resources. The Senior Program even offers transportation to and from the theater.
“Accessibility is so important,” Robbson said. “Theater is starting to become inaccessible. Getting people in the theater lets them see representation and the value of art.”
ICT’s current General Manager, Jordan Gohara, is a product of the same education programs she now oversees.
“I’ve been around ICT since I was a kid,” Gohara said. “I participated in the education programs that I now coordinate. Growing up, I did the third-grade program, the Summer Youth Conservatory, and saw shows here. Almost 10 years ago, I decided I was going to work here.”
After 22 years with ICT, Gohara is passionate about expanding.
“I think what we have right now is really strong,” Gohara said. “I just want to see how we can grow that.”
Caryn Desai, as pictured to the right, directs two actors for an upcoming show. While Desai heads the theatre company today, her husband Shashin Desai was instrumental in starting the company in 1985. Photo Courtesy of International City Theater.
Apart from the team’s hard work, Caryn believes ICT’s success is due to people’s inherent need for well-told stories.
But Robbson thinks Caryn deserves credit too.
“I also think it’s Caryn, she just cares about everyone,” Robbson said. “Anybody she talks to, she makes you feel like you’re the main focus.”
Starting Feb. 19, ICT will kick off their “ruby” season with the show Desperate Measures. For their full 2025 season guide, check out their website.
