Santa Monica’s longest running open mic for teen performers returns to its original home at the Miles Memorial Playhouse
October 16, 2025 1:34 PM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Oct. 16, 2025) - Downbeat 720 returned this week for its 24th year to the newly reopened Miles Memorial Playhouse in Reed Park with bi-monthly open mic performances drawing teen performers from around the LA region.
Student participants can observe or participate to receive positive, honest feedback from professional artists including the program hosts and invited guest artists.
Hosts include comedian Joe Hernandez-Kolski, featured on Gilmore Girls and the HBO series Def Poetry, and beatboxer Joshua Silverstein, featured on TV series Drop The Mic and The Late Late Show With James Corden, with music and feedback also provided by DJ Jedi, featured on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on Broadway, and with hip hop trio Digable Planets.
To enrich the experience for the young student performers, a professional artist is often invited to perform and provide feedback. Past performing artists include GRAMMY award-winning musicians like singer/songwriter/producer Aloe Blacc and Raul Pacheco from rock band Ozomatli, comedian Craig Robinson from The Office, Akil the MC from hip hop group Jurassic 5, poet/actress Amber Tamblyn from Joan of Arcadia and a host of nationally-ranked HBO Def Poets.
Downbeat 720 has helped hundreds of young performers develop their talent as poets, singers, musicians, dancers and artists. See videos of improvisation sessions, performances and discussions about the creative process here.
"Downbeat 720 is one of the most magical things I have ever witnessed,” teen participant Owen Thiele said. “It's a space where high school students from all over LA can come and perform their original pieces, sing a cover or read poetry. Everyone was so supportive of each other. It's a place to take risks, to stand onstage and feel comfortable while experimenting and going outside of the comfort zone."
Taking place at the beautifully revived Miles Memorial Playhouse, which was originally dedicated to the youth of Santa Monica and completed in 1929 by architect John Byers.
The Miles Memorial Playhouse reopened in July during Santa Monica’s State of the City event after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and while undergoing repairs.
Downbeat 720 was created in 2001 by Justin Yoffe, Ameenah Kaplan, Joe Hernandez-Kolski and DJ Jedi and was held in the Miles Memorial Playhouse until 2020, when it was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned to in-person sessions at the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center while the Miles Memorial Playhouse underwent revitalization.
Downbeat 720 is a program of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit santamonica.gov/programs/downbeat-720.
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