ABOUT
Combined Artform began in 1998 in San Francisco as C.A.F.E. (Combined Art Form Entertainment), created by Matthew Quinn and Bertha Rodriguez as a way to produce and support independent work outside traditional systems. What started as a grassroots effort quickly became a working model—developing projects, organizing productions, and building opportunities where none existed.
From the beginning, the work was hands-on and expansive. Matthew and Bertha produced original works and adaptations while taking on multiple roles across production, coordination, publicity, and development. Alongside their creative work, they built systems—ways to organize artists, audiences, and resources so projects could move forward more effectively.
In the early 2000s, that work expanded into venue development in San Francisco, including the creation of multi-theater spaces that combined performance venues with gallery environments. These spaces allowed for multiple productions to run simultaneously and helped establish a scalable model for independent theater production.
In 2007, the company relocated to Los Angeles and evolved into Theater Asylum, operating on Santa Monica Boulevard. Theater Asylum became both a producing entity and a multi-venue complex—supporting hundreds of productions each year and, at its height, representing a significant portion of the Hollywood Fringe ecosystem.
More than a venue, Theater Asylum functioned as an ecosystem. Artists developed new work, returned with remounts, and built ongoing collaborations. Matthew and Bertha worked closely with hundreds of companies—supporting production, publicity, and audience development—while also training artists in how to navigate independent production.
Beginning with the inaugural Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2010, the company became deeply involved in shaping the infrastructure of the festival and the broader independent theater landscape. Matthew served as an advisor, venue manager, and producer, while also contributing to over 50 productions within the festival. While Bertha ran the operations and publicity side of the business. During this time, they developed artist support systems, workshops, and operational models that helped define how Fringe production functions in Los Angeles today.
Out of this work came a series of initiatives designed to extend the life of productions beyond their initial run. In 2010, Matthew launched the Hollywood Encore Producers’ Award, which later expanded into Beyond Encores, creating pathways for shows such as Pulp Shakespeare, Pokemusical, and Sunny Afternoon to continue beyond the festival and reach new audiences.
As the work continued across Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and beyond, the scope expanded. Producing led naturally into publicity. Publicity expanded into audience development and strategy. Over time, it became clear that these functions were not separate—they were interconnected, and projects were strongest when they were aligned from the beginning.
Combined Artform emerged from that realization.
Today, Combined Artform operates as a producing, publicity, and strategy studio, working with artists, festivals, and organizations to develop projects, build audiences, and extend the life of the work. The company’s work now includes festival creation, producing, consulting, content strategy, and the integration of new systems—including ethical AI—to support more efficient and sustainable creative practices.
Matthew’s work has expanded into consulting and large-scale strategy—partnering with artists and organizations on producing plans, publicity systems, audience development, sponsorship strategy, and long-term growth. He continues to work internationally as a scout and booking partner with SoHo Playhouse and the International Fringe Encore Series, connecting artists to opportunities in New York, the UK, and beyond.
Bertha’s work continues to anchor the company’s approach to publicity, operations, and structure. With a background that includes research, intellectual property, and script clearance, she brings both creative and analytical precision to every project—ensuring that messaging, audience engagement, and operational systems are aligned.
Across every phase—from C.A.F.E. to Theater Asylum to Combined Artform—the core has remained the same: to make the work possible, to help it be seen, and to support what comes next.
From the beginning, the work was hands-on and expansive. Matthew and Bertha produced original works and adaptations while taking on multiple roles across production, coordination, publicity, and development. Alongside their creative work, they built systems—ways to organize artists, audiences, and resources so projects could move forward more effectively.
In the early 2000s, that work expanded into venue development in San Francisco, including the creation of multi-theater spaces that combined performance venues with gallery environments. These spaces allowed for multiple productions to run simultaneously and helped establish a scalable model for independent theater production.
In 2007, the company relocated to Los Angeles and evolved into Theater Asylum, operating on Santa Monica Boulevard. Theater Asylum became both a producing entity and a multi-venue complex—supporting hundreds of productions each year and, at its height, representing a significant portion of the Hollywood Fringe ecosystem.
More than a venue, Theater Asylum functioned as an ecosystem. Artists developed new work, returned with remounts, and built ongoing collaborations. Matthew and Bertha worked closely with hundreds of companies—supporting production, publicity, and audience development—while also training artists in how to navigate independent production.
Beginning with the inaugural Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2010, the company became deeply involved in shaping the infrastructure of the festival and the broader independent theater landscape. Matthew served as an advisor, venue manager, and producer, while also contributing to over 50 productions within the festival. While Bertha ran the operations and publicity side of the business. During this time, they developed artist support systems, workshops, and operational models that helped define how Fringe production functions in Los Angeles today.
Out of this work came a series of initiatives designed to extend the life of productions beyond their initial run. In 2010, Matthew launched the Hollywood Encore Producers’ Award, which later expanded into Beyond Encores, creating pathways for shows such as Pulp Shakespeare, Pokemusical, and Sunny Afternoon to continue beyond the festival and reach new audiences.
As the work continued across Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and beyond, the scope expanded. Producing led naturally into publicity. Publicity expanded into audience development and strategy. Over time, it became clear that these functions were not separate—they were interconnected, and projects were strongest when they were aligned from the beginning.
Combined Artform emerged from that realization.
Today, Combined Artform operates as a producing, publicity, and strategy studio, working with artists, festivals, and organizations to develop projects, build audiences, and extend the life of the work. The company’s work now includes festival creation, producing, consulting, content strategy, and the integration of new systems—including ethical AI—to support more efficient and sustainable creative practices.
Matthew’s work has expanded into consulting and large-scale strategy—partnering with artists and organizations on producing plans, publicity systems, audience development, sponsorship strategy, and long-term growth. He continues to work internationally as a scout and booking partner with SoHo Playhouse and the International Fringe Encore Series, connecting artists to opportunities in New York, the UK, and beyond.
Bertha’s work continues to anchor the company’s approach to publicity, operations, and structure. With a background that includes research, intellectual property, and script clearance, she brings both creative and analytical precision to every project—ensuring that messaging, audience engagement, and operational systems are aligned.
Across every phase—from C.A.F.E. to Theater Asylum to Combined Artform—the core has remained the same: to make the work possible, to help it be seen, and to support what comes next.
Matthew Quinn
Artistic Producer / Strategy
Matthew Quinn leads producing and overall project strategy.
With over two decades of experience in theater production, venue management, and festival development, his work spans independent productions, large-scale festivals, and international partnerships. He has produced and supported hundreds of shows, working extensively with the Hollywood Fringe Festival as an advisor, venue manager, and producer since its inception.
Matthew’s focus is on shaping the work -- building production plans, structuring development, and identifying pathways for growth. His work now extends into consulting and strategic planning, helping artists and organizations move projects forward with clarity, efficiency, and long-term vision.
Artistic Producer / Strategy
Matthew Quinn leads producing and overall project strategy.
With over two decades of experience in theater production, venue management, and festival development, his work spans independent productions, large-scale festivals, and international partnerships. He has produced and supported hundreds of shows, working extensively with the Hollywood Fringe Festival as an advisor, venue manager, and producer since its inception.
Matthew’s focus is on shaping the work -- building production plans, structuring development, and identifying pathways for growth. His work now extends into consulting and strategic planning, helping artists and organizations move projects forward with clarity, efficiency, and long-term vision.
Bertha Rodriguez
Publicity / Producing / Operations
Bertha Rodriguez leads publicity, operations, and audience strategy.
With a background in both theater production and research, she brings a unique combination of creative and analytical expertise to every project. She has worked across producing, publicity, and coordination since 1998, supporting projects from development through full production.
Bertha’s work focuses on visibility -- shaping messaging, managing press outreach, and building audience engagement. Her experience in research, intellectual property, and script clearance adds an additional layer of structure and precision to the projects she supports.
Publicity / Producing / Operations
Bertha Rodriguez leads publicity, operations, and audience strategy.
With a background in both theater production and research, she brings a unique combination of creative and analytical expertise to every project. She has worked across producing, publicity, and coordination since 1998, supporting projects from development through full production.
Bertha’s work focuses on visibility -- shaping messaging, managing press outreach, and building audience engagement. Her experience in research, intellectual property, and script clearance adds an additional layer of structure and precision to the projects she supports.
IMPACT & ACHIEVEMENTS
Over the past 25+ years:
- 1,500+ productions produced and supported
- 650+ Fringe productions hosted and co-produced
- 800+ shows extended beyond their initial runs
- Long-standing leadership within the Hollywood Fringe ecosystem
- Founder of the 30 Minutes or Less Festival
- Creator of the Hollywood Encore Producers’ Award and Beyond Encores
- Venue leadership and producing through Theater Asylum
- Development of artist pathways connecting production, publicity, and extension
Notable Achievements
- Pioneers in the Hollywood Fringe Festival: Supported hundreds of productions, including multiple award-winning shows.
- Was the first registered Venue
- Was on the 1st HFF Advisory Committee
- Served as Venue Rep from 2010 until stepping down in 2015.
- Invited the HFF to "Office Hours" which became a pillar of HFF
- Started "How to Produce a Fringe or Intimate Production"
- Created the Asylum Promotion Program and Participant Lanyards.
- Presented HFF with the "Runway Show" out of the Asylum Promotion Program
- Created the Asylum International House for Out of Town Shows.
- Created the "Best of the Hollywood Fringe" and Hollywood Encore Producers' Award
- Established the first exchange partnership with another fringe with the San Diego Fringe
- Part of the team that made Hollywood Theatre Row an official place!
- Innovative Festivals: Launched 30 Minutes or Less Festival and Hollywood Independent Theater Festival, redefining theater experiences.
- Initial Producer of Latina Christmas Special and brought to SoHo Playhouse for successful 4 week run.
- Scouts and booker for SoHo Playhouse including finding The Day I Became Black by Bill Posley, Gil Scott-Heron Bluesology by Tuesday Conner, Made in America, Abortion Weekend, Wounded and The Movement You Need By Brendan Hunt.
