Best Community Theater In North Bay
Napa Valley Community Theater
2277 Napa Vallejo Highway
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 256-7500
napavalleytheater.org
A part of Napa Valley College, this association of professionals is dedicated to providing top-notch training and entertainment to all segments of the community, including students. It puts on five shows a season out of the school's Performing Arts Center. There is also a separate season for Shakespeare Napa Valley which is always held outdoors in Veterans Park. This community theater debuted in 2010 with a mixed professional and student cast performing to a sold out production of "Man of La Mancha."
6th Street Playhouse
52 W 6th St
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 523-4185
6thstreetplayhouse.com
A visit to its website announces that "6th Street Playhouse will be the central hub of a regional arts scene." This ambitious vision was inaugurated by converting the 107-year-old Del Monte Cannery into its namesake venue, selling out its first production of "Mame" in 2005. Two companies make up this theater including Sonoma's oldest theater company, Santa Rosa Players, and Actor's Theatre. The playhouse provides a theater education program for both adults and youth and holds general auditions for each season.
Imaginists Theatre Collective
461 Sebastopol Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 528-7554
theimaginists.org
Like the name suggests, the Imaginists strive for a different, more experimental, even provocative type of theater. This ensemble collective engages with the community and encourages new artistic voices. Its Community Performance Projects work in partnership with local non-profits and are rooted in the idea of "people's theater." The Imaginists don't just settle for bringing the community art, but go one step further with the only free, bicycle-powered, bilingual, all-ages theatrical show in the country, "El Show el Arte es Medicina" or "The Art is Medicine Show."
Ross Valley Players
30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Ross, CA 94904
(415) 456-9555
This historic company has two distinctions. One is being the oldest continually-running community theater on the West Coast. The other is having its very own converted barn (in the Marin Art and Garden Center) as its cozy house theater. Patrons can expect a wholesome, homey atmosphere at this award-winning community theater. Not one to rest on their laurels, the Players also offer a racier, more provocative venue for emerging artists with the Ross Alternative Works or RAW. A true community theater, Ross Valley Players depends on volunteers to help with the box office and even accepts submissions for plays from the community.
Stapleton Theatre Company
118 Greenfield Ave
San Anselmo, CA 94960
(415) 454-5759
The San Anselmo Town Players morphed into its second incarnation as the Stapleton Theatre Company in 2006 when it came under the wing of the Stapleton School for the Performing Arts. The dedication and spirit of the original Players was passed on by a loyal core of volunteers and administrators when it transitioned to its new home. The company continues to provide a family-friendly venue where parents and children can both perform in as well as enjoy age-appropriate productions.
Lollie Hopper loves to drink deeply from the well of culture. If it's beautiful, interesting or timely, this Bay Area native wants to cover it. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
