Theatre, Etc.

Theatre, Etc. (Enriching the Children) is a regional theater in Chico, California, owned by Shannon Beattie and local accompanist and performer Jeffrey Childs. According to their website, they are "dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through the Creative Arts."

History / Overview

After originally putting on children's theater productions at Theatre on the Ridge, a theater in nearby Paradise, California, the owners bought a former church in Chico and transformed it into a school/PlayHouse complete with a theatre/performance area, music room, dance room, kitchen, and art area. Classes, as well as MusicAL or dramatic productions, are offered to children and teenagers aged six through eighteen. Productions are typically directed by Shannon Beattie and musically directed by Jeffrey Childs, though other individuals direct shows at some points during the year. For instance, Fred Stuart has directed The Startles and Romeo and Juliet, and former student Shannon O'Laughlin directed 101 Dalmations. Former students also occasionally step in to help assistant direct productions.

After a grand opening in the summer of 2006, the productions 101 Dalmatians, Stuart Little, Oklahoma!, Jr., and The Startles were performed. That fall, classes, rather than individual productions, were offered. It seems that this tradition--of classes during the fall and productions during the summer--will be employed again in following years. Four sections are available, separating children by age group: "Flashlights" (Ages 4-6), "Footlights" (Grades 1-3), "Stagelights" (Grades 4-6), and "Spotlights" (Grades 7-12) . Once enrolled in the class, students can audition for the winter performance if they so wish. The class culminates in a spring production. Currently, summer rehearsals for Once on this Island, Jr., The Jungle Book, and Romeo and Juliet are underway.

Total Theatre, Etc. Productions

External links

Theatre, Etc. homepage 1