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All the World’s a Stage

Sutter Street Theatre: “Where the Art is in the Entertainment”

Article by Melissa Strand

Photography by Sutter Street Theatre

Originally published in Folsom City Lifestyle

As you step into Sutter Street Theatre, the up-close and personal stage feels intimate and warm while buzzing with the magic of past performances. The charming and comfortable theatre allows audience members to feel like they are close enough to be a part of the show as performers utilize the full stage, walkways, and entrances to bring the entire theatre to life. Being close enough to the performers to see their emotions and energy allows for a genuine escape into the productions, as audiences get caught up in the magic of the stories. Our family has been swept away on imaginative adventures numerous times as audience members at Sutter Street Theatre, and our children attend their Intro to Theatre classes in the “Annex”, where they have developed what will hopefully be a lifelong love of performing. The opportunities to be in the audience and work towards stepping on the stage at Sutter Street Theatre are plentiful for our local community, and I encourage you to grab a seat or step onstage to immerse yourself in this local treasure.

Sutter Street Theatre and the Theatre Production & Technical Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that has been a fixture in our community for nearly two decades, bringing laughter, drama, and entertainment to audiences since its inception. As they head into their 19th season, our community clearly cherishes this beloved and popular fixture. Nestled in the heart of Folsom’s Historic District on Sutter Street, its location sets the stage for a perfect afternoon or evening, with the bustling options of food, drinks, and sweets within walking distance for the perfect start or end of a show. Connie Mockenhaupt, Founder and Artistic Director, and Mike Jimena, Founder and Managing Director, run the show and bring their personalities and charm to welcome audiences and introduce performances with excitement and pride for each show. Connie Mockenhaupt shares, "We're just so grateful to the City of Folsom and the Folsom Historic District for welcoming us and the theatre to Sutter Street all those years ago. It has truly been phenomenal to watch the Sutter Street Theatre grow and expand as community members, students and actors alike pass through its doors. Now as we enter our 19th season, we can't wait to see it thrive for many years to come. We're not going anywhere!"

Through Sutter Street Theatre’s class offerings, budding performers of all ages can learn the art of being on stage to gain a love of performing. The opportunity to get on stage and work through one of the most dreaded and common fears, public speaking, is a valuable skill to acquire, which strengthens communication skills and interpersonal relationships and develops confidence. Sutter Street Theatre has a strong emphasis on education and offers a wide range of learning opportunities that cater to artists of all ages, interests, and experience levels. Learning opportunities include Tap Dance, Musical Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre, Children’s Intro to Theatre (ages 5-7, “Rising Stars”, and ages 8-11, “Bright Stars”), Improve for Young People, and Private Acting Lessons. They also host a variety of intensive workshops for children and teens where seasoned professionals teach theatre techniques to build stage confidence in a safe and enjoyable environment while working toward mainstage performances. Over the past 18 seasons, productions have earned recognition in the form of nominations, awards, grants, and press on the local and national level, including features in the Folsom Telegraph, Sacramento Bee, Good Day Sacramento, KFBK, Sacramento Magazine, and a mention in the Wall Street Journal. They have received numerous Elly Awards, an Arts Achievement Award from the Folsom Arts & Cultural Commission, a National Endowment for the Arts Grant, and many nominations.

Sutter Street Theatre has recently announced its calendar for the 19th season, which contains shows for the Off-Broadway Series and Family Series as well as their monthly Storybook Time and Olde Tyme Radio Show. Off-Broadway Series and Family Series performances include Dial M for Murder, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Cotton Patch Gospel, The Lightening Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Anything Goes, Sleeping Beauty, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Rock of Ages High School Edition, Visiting Mr. Green, Finding Nemo Kids, The Secret Garden, The Producers, Evil Dead the Musical, Goosebumps the Musical, The Prisoner of Second Avenue and A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas. I encourage you to pick a performance date, grab some chocolate from Snooks, and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

"We strive to enrich the quality of life in our community through artistic growth opportunities."

“Our goal is to provide community members of all ages with exceptional theatre and arts-related programs and services." SutterStreetTheatre.com

We strive to enrich the quality of life in our community through artistic growth opportunities.

It has truly been phenomenal to watch the Sutter Street Theatre grow and expand as community members, students and actors alike pass through its doors.

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