Our Story:
A Legacy of Creativity and Collaboration
Founded in San Francisco by Matthew Quinn and Bertha Rodriguez, Combined Artform began as a hub for innovative theatrical production and artist support. Over the years, it evolved into a dynamic production and venue management company, operating under the name Theater Asylum, when it expanded its reach and impact by relocating to Los Angeles in 2007. With a rich history spanning over 25 years, Matthew and Bertha have built a legacy of producing hundreds of shows across Hollywood, San Francisco, New York City, and beyond. Their shared vision and passion have fostered partnerships with creatives and organizations around the globe, leaving an indelible mark on the worlds of theater and live events.
Matthew Quinn (Artistic Producer)
Matthew Quinn has been a driving force in theater production and venue management for over 20 years in San Francisco and Los Angeles. As the founder of Combined Artform, he has produced, co-produced, presented, booked, and promoted hundreds of shows alongside Producer Bertha Rodriguez since 1998. His extensive work spans independent theater, festival productions, and new media projects. Since the inaugural Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2010, Matthew has been an advisor, venue manager, and producer, contributing to over 55 shows, including Top of the Fringe and Best Comedy winner “WOMEN” (w/Beth Dies) and “Pick of the Fringe” (w/Fringe Management). In 2010, he launched the Hollywood Encore Producers’ Award, which expanded into Beyond Encores in 2016, leading to successful extensions of Pulp Shakespeare, Pokemusical, and Sunny Afternoon. He is currently working with the San Diego International Fringe Festival, expanding opportunities for artists beyond Los Angeles. His recent projects include the 30 Minutes or Less Festival, a platform for short-form theater; Hollywood Independent Hit Festival (HITFEST), showcasing outstanding productions with industry engagement; and Aristotle/Alexander by Alex Lyras, premiering at Company of Angels. As a West Coast scout and booking agent for the International Fringe Encore Series & Soho Playhouse, he continues to connect artists with opportunities in New York, the UK, and Japan. Matthew and Combined Artform now offer expanded services including content creation and consulting for independent artists and small businesses. Through Asylum Arts Management, launched in 2022, he supports artists in building sustainable careers in theater, film, and digital performance. Always seeking new and innovative projects, Matthew is passionate about bringing dynamic, high-impact performances to life and remains open to collaborations. For more information or to collaborate, contact [email protected].
Matthew Quinn has been a driving force in theater production and venue management for over 20 years in San Francisco and Los Angeles. As the founder of Combined Artform, he has produced, co-produced, presented, booked, and promoted hundreds of shows alongside Producer Bertha Rodriguez since 1998. His extensive work spans independent theater, festival productions, and new media projects. Since the inaugural Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2010, Matthew has been an advisor, venue manager, and producer, contributing to over 55 shows, including Top of the Fringe and Best Comedy winner “WOMEN” (w/Beth Dies) and “Pick of the Fringe” (w/Fringe Management). In 2010, he launched the Hollywood Encore Producers’ Award, which expanded into Beyond Encores in 2016, leading to successful extensions of Pulp Shakespeare, Pokemusical, and Sunny Afternoon. He is currently working with the San Diego International Fringe Festival, expanding opportunities for artists beyond Los Angeles. His recent projects include the 30 Minutes or Less Festival, a platform for short-form theater; Hollywood Independent Hit Festival (HITFEST), showcasing outstanding productions with industry engagement; and Aristotle/Alexander by Alex Lyras, premiering at Company of Angels. As a West Coast scout and booking agent for the International Fringe Encore Series & Soho Playhouse, he continues to connect artists with opportunities in New York, the UK, and Japan. Matthew and Combined Artform now offer expanded services including content creation and consulting for independent artists and small businesses. Through Asylum Arts Management, launched in 2022, he supports artists in building sustainable careers in theater, film, and digital performance. Always seeking new and innovative projects, Matthew is passionate about bringing dynamic, high-impact performances to life and remains open to collaborations. For more information or to collaborate, contact [email protected].
Bertha Rodriguez (Publicity Manager/ Producer / Operations Manager) has been involved in theater production since 1998 starting in San Francisco and then in Los Angeles. She and Matthew Quinn created Combined Artform Entertainment in 1998 and later changed the name to Combined Artform, a theater production company. Together they have produced original works as well as adaptations. Bertha has worn many hats throughout the years from producer, writer, costumer, to publicist. In addition to producing theater and doing publicity, Bertha brings to the table extensive knowledge as a researcher, Intellectual Property Paralegal, Intellectual Property Investigator, and Script Clearance. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a Paralegal Certificate. Her non-theater experience has been very instrumental with the services she provides as a Producer as well as a Public Relations Manager.
Some of the theater projects that Bertha has been a producer on are “Revocable Trust,” “Campfire Stories,” and “Letters from Young Gay Men,” directed by John Coppola; Yes, Virginia,” directed by Stan Zimmerman; and Tolstoy in Suffolk directed by Robert Ackerman. Tolstoy In Suffolk was picked by Huffington Post as one of the Los Angeles 2017 Top Ten Theater Productions.
Bertha has been an active player alongside Matthew Quinn as a coordinator with the Asylum venues. In 2015, she extended her publicity services to non-Asylum renters or productions.
Some of the theater projects that Bertha has been a producer on are “Revocable Trust,” “Campfire Stories,” and “Letters from Young Gay Men,” directed by John Coppola; Yes, Virginia,” directed by Stan Zimmerman; and Tolstoy in Suffolk directed by Robert Ackerman. Tolstoy In Suffolk was picked by Huffington Post as one of the Los Angeles 2017 Top Ten Theater Productions.
Bertha has been an active player alongside Matthew Quinn as a coordinator with the Asylum venues. In 2015, she extended her publicity services to non-Asylum renters or productions.
Our Impact
By the Numbers
Overall
Overall
- 1500+ All hosted productions.
- 25+ Years of experience in theater production and live events.
- 30+ Awards earned, including Top of Fringe and Best Comedy.
- 650+ Fringe Productions hosted and co-produced.
- Over 800+ Shows extended over 10 years.
- Shows have gone on to SoHo Playhouse, Namba, Odyseey Theater and More.
- 24 Venues with 46 spaces throughout Hollywood with shows through the summer
- 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.
- Scout 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.