Hartnell College Foundation

The Western Stage at Hartnell College is a regional theater serving students and residents of California’s Salinas Valley and Central Coast. Each year it brings together professional artists, theater students, and community members to produce six plays and musicals for more than 11,000 people. It also offers a variety of free or affordable educational programs, including performances that reflect the culture of the region’s residents, reaching nearly 1,000 youth in underserved schools in the Salinas and south Santa Cruz County area.

The Western Stage at Hartnell College is a respected regional theater serving students and residents of California’s Salinas Valley and Central Coast. Each year it brings together professional artists, theater students, and community members to produce six plays and musicals for 12,000 people. It also offers a wide variety of free or affordable educational programs that reach 3,400 people between the ages of five and 80, including K-12 partnerships, which tour more than 50 shows to local schools. The capital improvement project includes creating interactive spaces for artists and audiences (such as a multi-level canopy system over the inner courtyard with heating, lighting, and sound system), moving the box office, and upgrading doors, flooring, building exterior, and an art gallery.

The Western Stage at Hartnell College is a regional theater serving students and residents of California’s Salinas Valley and Central Coast. Each year it brings together professional artists, theater students, and community members to produce six plays and musicals for more than 12,500 people. It also offers a variety of free or affordable educational programs that reach more than 3,500 people between the ages of 5 and 80. Renewed funding for the Western Stage will support the organization’s efforts to expand the development and presentation of works that are relevant to the region and enhance the audience experience.