Mission

Ukiah Players Theatre is a professionally managed nonprofit community organization in residence at the Ukiah Playhouse. We are committed to providing our rural audiences with a wide range of theatre experiences including the classics and contemporary plays as well as original theatre pieces created for, by, and about our community.

History

Ukiah Players Theatre was founded in 1977 by an eclectic group of theatre artists who, for several years, produced plays, musicals and readings in rented halls in and around Ukiah. A coalition of community leaders joined forces in 1980 to begin plans to build the Ukiah Playhouse with donations of labor and materials. After signing a $1/year lease with the City of Ukiah for the land, Phase I of the Playhouse opened in 1982. A sizable grant from the Irvine Foundation completed Phase II in 1988, adding shop space, costume storage, dressing rooms and a box office to the 138-seat auditorium facility. Over the years the Playhouse has been home to the Ukiah Children's Theatre, the School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education, Mendocino Ballet, public education programs, business and training seminars, film series, weddings and has even served as a polling place. Since its inception in 1977, Ukiah Players Theatre has presented well over 100 main stage plays and musical productions. Over the years UPT has also developed several innovative programs, including the biennial New American Comedy Festival‰ and a number of grant-funded community based theatre projects. The Ukiah Playhouse serves as a training ground for performers, directors, playwrights and technicians, and houses a theatre which nurtures an intellectual and spiritual vitality within the community.

Purpose

To provide our community with a wide range of performing arts experience. To enrich educational opportunities for all ages, and to encourage future theatre artists, by collaborating with regional arts companies and local educational institutions. To nurture the community of theatre artists by providing the opportunity for them to exercise their craft in a professionally managed setting. To provide a facility to serve as a venue for all performing arts related activities. Thank you!