[1] The OFTC was founded in 1990 by Ziad Hamzeh (Artistic Director), Helena Cullen-hamzeh, Michael Denney (Actor/Playwright/Teacher), Tim Pulice (Actor), Brian Muir (Actor) and Kathleen Dunn (Actor/Teacher), all of whom were graduates of the Theater Program of California State University, Fullerton.
[citation needed] As of January 2020[update],[2] Martha Demson has been the company's artistic director for 20 years, taking on the role in 2000.
[3][4] Originally the company was based at 1625 North La Brea[1] in a rehearsal hall once owned by Bob Hope.
It has been the site of numerous premiere productions of then-new plays, including Frank Zappa's rock opera Joe's Garage, The Room by Michael Franco, Love Water by Jacqueline Wright, Neil LaBute's The New Testament, and Julie Hébert's St. Joan and the Dancing Sickness.
[citation needed] The Open Fist has been nominated and received numerous LA Weekly, Ovation, Garland and other awards.