Sierra Repertory Theatre

The Mission of Sierra Repertory Theatre

To produce a wide variety of live theater at a quality equal to any theater in the state

To pay artists and staff a living wage

To make a vibrant contribution to our community's economy, culture and spirit

Sierra Repertory Theatre is a growing professional non-profit theater located in California's beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills. Since 1980, Sierra Rep has focused on its original mission: to present audiences with a broad range of theatrical literature at the highest production quality possible; to pay artists and staff a living wage and to make a vibrant contribution to our community's economy, culture and spirit.

History

The five founders of Sierra Rep David and Kathryn Kahn, Doug Brennan, and Sara and Dennis Jones, met at the Fallon House Theatre while doing summer stock performances with the University of Pacific drama program. As the five worked on sets, costumes and sat together talking late into the night, the idea of Sierra Rep was planted and nurtured. Their dream was to establish a professional performing arts center in this rural setting, and to draw both professional artists and audiences by the level of art created here.

They first converted a tin warehouse into a rustic 99-seat theater in East Sonora. Over 30 years later, their shoestring venture has blossomed into a professional arts organization impressive for a rural area. Sierra Rep consistently earns ovations from audiences and the press, and top ratings for artistic and management excellence from the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Returning to its roots, Sierra Rep was selected as the resident theater company at the Historic Fallon House in June of 1997, and the company s first production on the Historic Fallon House stage was Something s Afoot, which opened in October of that year.

Today

Sierra Rep now presents 9 main-stage shows per year at two locations the original East Sonora Theater and the Historic Fallon House Theatre in Columbia State Historic Park. We have a staff of 25, employ more than 100 artists per year, and hold a contract with Actors Equity Association. Sierra Rep plays to an audience coming from both the Mother Lode area and from an hour or more away. We provide a year-round draw for visitors and make our community a more vibrant place to live. We enjoy strong community support with 2,400 season subscribers, more than 1,000 donors and hundreds of volunteers who help our professional artists and staff with sets, costumes, box office work and special events. To keep theater accessible to our entire community, we offer student and senior discounts, group rates, and low-cost tickets for school groups and half-price rush tickets. We also hold benefit previews and special events that raise thousands of dollars for community and educational groups.

Current Programs

Main Stage - Whether presenting world classics, contemporary favorites or more adventurous works, our goal remains to present the highest quality productions possible and to demonstrate live theater's unique power to enlighten, inspire and entertain.

Educational Outreach Education outreach is a core focus at Sierra Rep, to instill a love of arts in our youth and as an important service to our region. We send professional artists into schools with trunk shows and for informal discussion, and bring thousands of students to the theater each year for discounted performances, occasional workshops and advanced training.

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