Carlsbad Community Cultural
Arts Center
Location: 3557 Monroe St.
Located next to Carlsbad High School
Carlsbad, CA (map)
Phone: (760) 331-8164
More info: Website
For over 25 years, Carlsbad Community Theatre, also known as Patrons of the Arts, has been a passionate source for live entertainment and education to theater lovers around San Diego. Founded in 1983 at the request of the Carlsbad Unified School District, this volunteer-run, local performance company is dedicated to bringing the dramatic arts to audiences across the area while providing a welcoming home to anyone interested in learning the craft.
The Carlsbad Community Cultural Arts Center (CAC) has a proscenium stage with sunken orchestra pit and seats up to 400.
The center offers an outstanding venue for local theatre groups, musicians, private fundraisers. Classrooms can be set up through the use of partitions. The CAC has been fortunate to host Barbara Streisand, Fred Astaire Dance Studios, North County School of the Arts, Civic Youth Orchestra and so much more
The facility has a sheltered couryard, suitable for mingling guests before performances and during intermission break. The foyer has a fine art display. There has been a complete makeover in the patio area and the art displays are always in the foyer for viewing folks can mingle and enjoy.
Each year the Theatre puts together from start to finish at least three major productions, by season, and recruits its backstage and onstage talent for each show from the greater Carlsbad community itself. Many works include participation by the Theatre’s own students, including several which are reserved for students only.
ABC’s KGTV/News10 A-List named the Theatre San Diego’s “Best Theatre Group” in 2008, and it finished in 2nd-Place the following year. It took home high honors at the National Youth Theatre Awards in 2010, winning “Outstanding Ensemble” for its production of Alice in Wonderland.
Recent works tackled by the Theatre include The Wizard of Oz, Bye Bye Birdie, Aladdin, The Sound of Music, Children of Eden, The Wiz, and School House Rock - LIVE Jr., based on the Emmy-winning animated educational series of the same name.
One of the most prominent features of the Carlsbad Community Theatre is its sizeable youth outreach efforts. Having organized and showcased over 100 student productions now, its workshops help develop stage skills and confidence, as well as an appreciation for the arts, in children of many ages, some as early as 6. They cover topics from preparing for an audition to stagecraft and presence, running anywhere in length from half-a-day to upwards of two weeks.
Carlsbad Community Theatre performances are typically held at the Carlsbad Village Theatre. Located off I-5 in Carlsbad Village, the venue, built in the 1920s as a space for Vaudeville acts and black and white silent cinema, seats 300. Free parking is available at the Coaster Train Station lot across the street on weeknights after 6 p.m. and all day on weekends.
As an independent nonprofit organization, Carlsbad Community Theatre is kept alive through support from students, patrons, and the City of Carlsbad. Passionate volunteers are always needed and welcome.
The cultural center is home to The Carlsbad Community Theatre, which puts on children's performances and workshops.
