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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Fair Oaks Theatre Festival was founded in 1982 by a group of local business leaders and people active in community theatre. The little-used Plaza Park Amphitheatre was the focal point of the group and work began to put the Amphitheatre to use presenting outstanding community theatre productions. The Fair Oaks Theatre Festival became a non-profit benefit corporation before the second season, electing the late Wendell Frazier as its first president. Since then the Festival has become a yearly tradition, filling the need for cultural activities in the northeast regional area.
In its history, the Festival has produced all of Shakespeare’s comedies along with works of Moliere, Goldsmith, Simon, Sondheim, Wilder and Gilbert & Sullivan. Our affiliation with American River College Theatre has enabled us to expand our artistic and technical abilities to add musical comedies to our repertoire.
The outdoor amphitheatre provides a comfortable setting for our patrons, many making this a yearly event. The Festival plays a strong part in the arts and theatre world for the Sacramento region. Our members are our greatest asset and we rely on their dues and volunteer support. Join us!!
ABOUT THE AMPHITHEATRE
The Fair Oaks Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre was built in 1971 and is owned by the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District. Each year the Fair Oaks Theatre Festival turns this unique facility into a full-fledged theatre for our summer productions.
This outdoor venue presents its own set of special circumstances. We sometimes compete with helicopters, chickens roosting in nearby trees, and an occasional cat that can’t wait to be a really big star. But along with these small annoyances are the cool breezes on a warm summer evening, the picnicking in the park before the show and the smell of fresh popped popcorn always available at our snack bar.
The Fair Oaks Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre is one of the last outdoor venues offering live theatre to the public in Sacramento County. The Festival is committed to the preservation of this facility and we have developed a plan to remodel the Amphitheatre. Phase I of the project was completed in 2002 with the remodel of the entry lobby and a new ticket booth. Phases II & III, a complex at the rear of the Amphitheatre that houses a snack bar, concession area, control booth and restrooms, were completed in 2004.
The next two phases of the project will be the completion of the overhead light bridge and improvements to the main stage enclosure. To complete this project, the Festival is conducting a Fundraising Campaign in 2008/09. Our goal of $1,500,000 will allow us to finish the remodeling project and provide a first class cultural facility for our community.
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