Santa Rosa theater company 6th Street Playhouse has been enriching the community through plays, musicals, classes and workshops for 50 years, proving that with passionate patrons and dedicated volunteers, the show will go on.
The nonprofit playhouse was established nearly 20 years ago as a partnership between two local theater companies, Santa Rosa Players and Actors Theater. Santa Rosa Players, which had been among the North Bay’s oldest theater companies, was founded in 1972, while Actors Theater was founded in 1984. The companies merged in 2004 under a single board of directors with the new name 6th Street Playhouse, and together they renovated the 107-year-old Del Monte Cannery in the heart of downtown Santa Rosa.
A notable performance of 2022 was the fall production of Cabaret, which has earned multiple nominations in this year’s Broadway World San Francisco Awards. Another recent favorite was Scrooge In Love, brought back over the holidays following a hit run in 2021.
All ages can participate in the theater, whether in a full-scale production, courses or summer camp. Coming up in spring, the playhouse will conduct musicals for teen performers, as well as productions featuring kids in grades 7-12, grades 2-6 and even tiny players from TK to first grade. The company also offers a stagecraft class for youth players, which introduces children to all aspects of stage production. In the summer, two camps will be offered for youth, and one for teen players. 6th Street’s educational department is led by Aja Gianola-Norris, director of education and community engagement.
Shekeyna Black handles PR for the company and says she’s passionate about theater arts and the growth of the organization. “I love the sense of pride from the staff and cast members in every single production,” Black says. “The caliber of talent from the set designs to the costumes to the performers in the musicals and plays are top notch.”
The company stresses its commitment to making performing arts available to all. “We believe that performing arts are for everyone, and the joy, creativity and confidence to be found in our classrooms translates to success both on and off the stage,” company officials write on their website.
Running the show is no small feat—just ask Managing Director Anne Clark—and volunteers are invaluable to the company, which thrives because of their help in a number of vital rolls, including ushers and in the costume shop or box office.
The community can continue its support of 6th Street Playhouse by attending shows, classes and fundraising events that are held throughout the year—keeping the curtain raised on another 50 years of applause, ovations and great community theater. Visit 6thstreetplayhouse.com.