B Street Theatre facts for kids
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| Founded | 1986 |
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| Headquarters |
Sacramento
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The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, is a special place for live shows and learning about arts. It's a non-profit group that creates exciting new plays for grown-ups and families. Since 1991, B Street Theatre has also offered concerts, comedy shows, ballet, and other fun events all year long.
B Street Theatre is a non-profit theater in Sacramento, California. It was started in 1986 by actor Timothy Busfield. At first, it was called Theatre for Children, Inc. Its main goal was to have a touring theater group for kids.
The B Street Theatre School Tour is very popular. It performs 12 times a week for 38 weeks each year. Many teachers and news groups have praised the School Tour. It's thought that about 3.6 million children in California have seen their shows. Currently, about 200,000 children see a show each year. For many kids, this is their only chance to see live theater in Northern California.
In 1991, Timothy Busfield and his brother Buck Busfield started B Street Theatre. They wanted to make the School Tour even more successful. Most plays they put on are new to the world, the country, or the West Coast. B Street Theatre has won awards for Best Live Theatre many times. It also won for Best Performing Arts Organization. About 70,000 grown-ups see their shows every year.
In 2002, the theater started a new program for families. The B Street Theatre Family Series lets families enjoy live, professional theater together. This series has four shows each season. Schools can bring students for field trips during the week. The public can also come to shows on weekends. The theater also creates learning materials for each Family Series play. Teachers can use these to create lessons in their classrooms.
Besides the touring theater, B Street School Tour also has a yearly playwriting festival. This festival helps young people share their stories. It also offers workshops to help kids learn writing skills. They also learn how to solve problems and express themselves through art. This process helps kids think better and feel good about their creative ideas.
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Exciting Programs at B Street Theatre
B Street Theatre School Tour
For over 20 years, the B Street School Tour has entertained children. It helps them love theater and appreciate playwriting. This professional touring theater also offers playwriting workshops. It holds a playwriting contest for children. These programs are for kids in schools, hospitals, and other places. They reach all over Northern California.
About 450 children attend each show. With 12 shows a week for 37 weeks, over 200,000 children see live theater every year. The theater works hard to bring theater to communities that might not usually see it. Children get to see many different kinds of plays. They learn about various topics, from social issues to family stories.
The playwriting contest lets young people share their dramatic ideas. Playwriting workshops help children improve their writing skills. They also learn how to solve problems and express themselves creatively. This process helps their minds grow. It also makes them feel good about their ideas and hard work.
B Street Theatre Mainstage
B Street Theatre is known as one of the best professional theaters in Northern California. They present seven new plays each season. About 75,000 people come to see these shows. They put on comedies, dramas, and new plays.
B Street Theatre Family Series
The Family Series is mainly for children and their families. Shows are held in the theater's "B2" space, which seats 112 people. This is California's only full-time, professional theater for children. Eight of the 12 weekly shows are for school field trips. The other four shows are for the public. Four new plays are shown each season. About 25,000 schoolchildren and families see these shows.
Studio for Young Actors
The Studio for Young Actors is a year-round program. It helps young people aged 7 to 17 be creative and confident. It also teaches them how to work in a team. The teachers are B Street company members. They have a lot of training and experience acting.
Intern Company
The B Street Theatre Acting Internship is a 10-month program. It teaches young actors about every part of professional theater. Interns are recent college graduates. They are looking for their first theater experience after college. This program gives four to eight talented young people their first big chance. They get training and performing experience. In return, they help the theater with office work and show operations.
The New Theatre: The Sofia
B Street Theatre received land from Sutter Medical Center. Then, they started a campaign to build a new theater. The new theater is at 27th and Capitol Avenue. The new Mainstage Theatre can seat 250 people. The Sutter Children's Theatre can seat 365 people. This is three times bigger than the old theater. It means 30,000 more children can experience art education.
The new performing arts center is in midtown Sacramento. It is named The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts. People often call it The Sofia. It opened in February 2018. The Sofia is home to B Street Theatre's Mainstage. It also houses the Sutter Theatre for Children. This is California's first year-round professional theater for children.
The Sutter Theatre also welcomes local artists and groups. It hosts their shows and events. This special building will become a fun place for everyone in Sacramento. Locals and tourists can see theater, comedy, dance, or music. There is a large lobby, classrooms, and an outdoor courtyard. There is also a restaurant. This makes The Sofia a true destination.
