Palo Alto Players

Palo Alto Players is a renowned community theater organization based in Palo Alto, California, with a rich history dating back to its formation in 1931. As the Peninsula's first theater company, it has been producing professional-quality live theater for over 90 years and is recognized as a cultural treasure within the Bay Area. The company's mission is to create exceptional theater experiences that inspire, entertain, and enrich the lives of local artists and audiences. The organization was established when a group of 100 community members came together with the goal of creating a theater dedicated to serving the local community. Initially, performances were staged at a makeshift venue in the Palo Alto Community House, which is now the site of MacArthur Park Restaurant. The early success of Palo Alto Players caught the attention of Lucie Stern, a prominent patron, who provided funds for a permanent home. This led to the establishment of the Palo Alto Community Theatre, which has been located at the Lucie Stern Theater in Rinconada Park since 1933. Incorporated as a tax-exempt, nonprofit entity in 1934, Palo Alto Players was closely associated with the City of Palo Alto's Parks and Recreation Department and enjoyed full financial support from the city for operational costs, including professional staffing. During World War II, the company contributed to the war effort by producing defense plays and entertaining troops at military camps across the Bay Area. The late 1940s saw the creation of the Palo Alto Teen Players, extending the organization's reach to younger generations. Musicals became a regular part of the Players' programming in the 1950s. In 1974, the company transitioned from a city-sponsored program to an independent nonprofit corporation. Despite this change, the City of Palo Alto continued to support the organization by providing performance, rehearsal, and shop space at the Lucie Stern Theater. The 1980s brought further expansion with the acquisition of the historic Fox Theater in Redwood City, which was donated to the Players. This allowed for the creation of Peninsula Center Stage (PCS), which offered open-air Shakespeare performances and musical productions to sold-out audiences. However, to focus on production quality and avoid the financial burdens of theater restoration, the Fox building was sold in 1998, and PCS productions in Redwood City ceased in 2000. Under the executive leadership of Artistic Director Patrick Klein and Managing Director Elizabeth Santana, Palo Alto Players has embraced innovation and growth, aiming to delight and inspire contemporary audiences and artists. The organization has been instrumental in the careers of notable artists, including actor Danny Glover and Oscar-winning screenwriter Waldo Salt, and has influenced the formation of other Bay Area theater companies. Palo Alto Players continues to offer a diverse season of comedies, dramas, classics, and musicals from September to June, attracting audiences and artists from throughout the Bay Area. With a commitment to community and excellence in theater arts, Palo Alto Players celebrates over 90 years of theatrical heritage and looks forward to many more years of enriching the cultural landscape of Palo Alto and beyond.