Sierra Repertory Theatre is a regional theatre company producing dramas,[1] musicals[2] and comedies located in Sonora, California. Founded in 1980 by David and Kathryn Kahn, Doug Brennan, and Sara and Dennis Jones [3] who met as university students at the Fallon House Theatre while doing summer stock performances with the University of the Pacific drama program.
They first converted a tin beer distribution warehouse into a rustic 99-seat theater in East Sonora where their first performance was an adaptation of Dracula in February 1980. They operated in this venue for over a decade until expanding the space in the mid-90's to a 202 seat theater with raked seats providing an intimate setting.
In 1997 the company was selected as the resident theater company at the Historic Fallon House Theatre in Columbia State Historic Park. For the founders this selection was significant as a homecoming and the company’s first production was Something’s Afoot, which opened in October of that year. Since then, Sierra Rep has produced more than 1,400 performances at the Fallon House and reached an audience of more than 240,000 patrons. The theatre company celebrated it's 25th anniversary in 2004 with a staging of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats on its small stage.[4]
Founders Dennis and Sara Jones continue as Producing and Managing Directors respectively, and they continue their association with the University of the Pacific.[5] Founder Doug Brennan is the stage manager for the Fallon House venue. Artistic Director Scott Viets directs and choreographs the company's musicals[6] as well as selected dramas. In 2007, Sierra Rep won a $275,000 grant[7] from the James Irvine Foundation to be used to develop audiences[8] in its rural location.
Sierra Repertory annually produces 10 shows at the two venues with more than 350 combined performances and plays to an audience of more than 65,000 people per year. It is also actively involved in the community by hosting fundraisers and producing performances for local schools.[9]