The Mark Taper Forum, since it opened in 1967, has been honored for its development of new plays and voices for the theatre and for its continuing commitment to serve the broadest possible audience. The theatre, which is under the artistic direction of Michael Ritchie and is located at the Performing Arts Center (formerly The Music Center) in downtown Los Angeles, has received virtually every t … Moreheatrical award including the 1977 special Tony for theatrical excellence. It is one of America's top regional theatres and a number of the plays presented on and off-Broadway and across the country began at the Taper.