Kristen and Adrian Griggs Bring Their Adventurous Nature to the Gala

The curtain opened and Kristen and Adrian Griggs found themselves on a tightrope without a net. It was the annual cabaret at Point Loma High School and their introduction to performing on stage. They also knew it as the fast track to putting themselves out there in front of their fellow students—singing and dancing.

“It was a rite of passage for seniors and anyone who had some willingness to make fools of themselves. We had a lot of fun and had a couple numbers together,” Kristen remembered.

“I remember the fun and camaraderie you have with all your fellow actors and I remember being scared when they opened that curtain in front of a bunch of people that know you and don’t know you,” Adrian said. “This isn’t something you have as a skill. I didn’t have it, but I still got out there and performed.”

These days, the Griggs’ are embarking on another rite of passage—they’re chairing South Coast Repertory’s annual Gala—Play On! Celebrating SCR’s 60th season, the theatre social event of the year is Saturday, Oct. 14 at SCR and the Westin South Coast Plaza.

This Gala Chair routine is a lot more comfortable for the couple, who nurtured their love of theatre even before they hit the Point Loma High School stage. Adrian Griggs remembers many trips to The Old Globe in San Diego with his parents. When he and Kristen moved to Orange County, they discovered SCR and how they were both interested in the behind-the-scenes machinations of making world-class theatre.

In Adrian’s case, that brought him to the SCR Board of Trustees, where he is now Vice President of Finance. They are also First Night subscribers to the Segerstrom and Julianne Argyros Stages.

“For me, the thing that interested me the most was getting a better understanding of how the theatre operates,” he said. “Not on the stage, but behind the scenes. What goes into keeping the theatre running? The biggest thing there was the support of the community and the support of the donors. That’s how SCR is able to put on the best-of-the-best productions.”

Kristen, meanwhile, joined the Gala Committee last year on the invitation of the 2022 Chair, Tammy Tang. She immersed herself in the creative, behind-the-scenes work that taught her the intricacies of scenery, decoration and staging. When she was invited to take over as Chair with her husband, Kristen couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.

Even if she was a little nervous. This was another tightrope calling her name.

“This is a little different for me. I’ve never headed a committee of this type. It was a little daunting,” she said. “But the staff is wonderful and so supportive and the knowledge this group has makes sitting in the Chair role a breeze.”

It’s not lost on either of them that they get to preside over the 60th season Gala, an opportunity Adrian calls “exciting, but a little nervy.” That’s where they’ve spent considerable time and effort—bringing the history of SCR to the forefront. At the same time, they want to attract younger attendees—which is where an afterparty on the roof of the Westin comes in.

“We’re trying to attract people who haven’t been as involved and hopefully get them involved,” Kristin said. “Having the opportunity to showcase what SCR has done in the past and where it’s going in the future will hopefully excite that segment to become more involved with theatre.

“Every time we make a decision in terms of visuals or decorations, we’re keeping in mind that this is an ode to 60 years of SCR. We’re trying to reflect on what the theatre has done in that period of time and showcase that.”

Again, it’s the seeing-how-the-sausage-is-made element that fascinates Adrian, as it brings him back to the memories of putting himself out there in front of his friends, acquaintances—and future wife. This project engages him on numerous levels, combining his love of the process with his love of theatre.

“For both of us, this is quite an honor to be asked, given how monumental this 60th season is,” he said. “It’s quite the milestone. I think our biggest things are to make it an enjoyable event, but also make it a special night, given that this is the 60th season. When people are there, they’ll have a great time and they’ll be able to experience some of the history of how SCR started and how it grew to where it is today.”