SPOTLiGHT PLAYERS

Logo of Sierra Theatre Company Spotlight Players on an orange background.

Where Kids Play!

Whether you’re a total beginner or a drama queen in the making, our theatre program is the perfect place to make new friends, build confidence, and have a blast. From creating & staging a play in just two days to full-on performances, there’s something for everyone—no experience needed, just bring your imagination!

Paulette Gilbert, Director of Spotlight Players

SPOTLiGHT PLAYERS

THEATRE CLASSES on TUESDAYS

Dramatic Adventures: $225
4-6 & 7-9 yrs

Theatre paired with children’s books inspire our theatrical adventures! Imaginations and confidence will grow as we make-believe and explore character through acting exercises, theatre games, music, movement and more.

• 8 Classes / Sept. 16, 23, 30 & Oct 7, 14, 21, 28 & Nov. 4

• 4-6yrs. - 3:15-4:15pm (Must be 4yrs. by Aug. 16)

• 7-9yrs. - 4:30-5:30pm
(Last 15min. of class combined w/Acting Fundamentals)

• Sharing Showcase / Nov. 4 / 4:45pm

Acting FUNdamentals: $275
10-15 yrs

Let’s cultivate the fundamental tools of Acting! Have fun focusing on the skills and techniques that make braver and more creative actors. Explore improvisation, acting exercises, theatre games, movement, character development, scene work and monologues.

• 10 Classes/ Sept. 16, 23, 30 & Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Nov. 4, 11 & 18

• 5:15-6:30pm

• 10-15yrs.

• Sharing Showcase / Nov. 18 / 6pm

DETAILS:

• Theatrical Adventures (7-9yrs.) AND Acting FUNdamentals classes have a 15min. overlap allowing for large group explorations and fun!

• Wear appropriate clothing for movement. 

• Wear closed-toe shoes only; NO sandals or flip flops.

• Each student may invite 5 guests to Sharing Showcase.

• $25 sibling discount.

• 10 participants per class.

First Class Free was a success! 23 kids got to experience a free class with Paulette and had a blast!

THE DIRECTOR

Paulette Gilbert has worked with children for nearly 30 years as a teacher, actor, and director. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Theatre from Louisiana Tech University. Her extensive experience with professional companies across the country includes a national tour with the Missoula Children’s Theatre. For the past 19 years she has taught and produced theatre for young people in Nevada County. Her directing credits include seven Children’s Theatre Ensemble productions for Center Stage Dance Studio, performed at the North Star House. As the founding primary director of CFTA's Main Stage Playmakers, she directed eight fun-filled productions. She is thrilled to be the director for Sierra Theatre Company's Spotlight Players and API2Days workshops. In addition to her work with children, Paulette is a professional costume designer and proprietor of SANDbags.

"Theater is so impactful because it encourages and enhances a child's capacity for self-expression and their sense of self-esteem. To make this possible, the most important thing about being in a play- is that it should be fun! Beyond it being fun, it is exciting and rewarding for kids to be part of creating something memorable while working closely with others. Every child has something special to add to a theatrical production, and it is deeply fulfilling to explore possibilities and find out what those special things will be. As a director, I love to work on plays with children of all ages and levels of experience, and am always searching for the rich rewards that theater can provide to children and their families." - Paulette Gilbert

A woman with red hair and glasses is smiling, wearing a black sweater and dangling earrings.
A group of children dressed in colorful pirate and mermaid costumes onstage, performing or rehearsing a play, with an adult in casual clothing kneeling and gesturing toward them.
Person on stage holding papers, wearing glasses, a red shirt, black vest, and brown pants, smiling with a backdrop of a whimsical village scene, including a sign reading 'A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol.'

Photos by Bob Free, Heidi Grass & Penny Collins

CURTAIN CLOSED
July 25th-27th

TRiO! - A Three-Ring Storybook Circus

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TRiO! - A Three-Ring Storybook Circus 〰️

Join us for a fast-paced storytale mash-up circus like you’ve never seen before!

Three ringmasters (and some silly clowns) take you on a circus themed adventure. Prepare to be entertained and amazed by a trilogy of three storybook favorites: the Three Bears, the Three Pigs, and the Three Goats Gruff.

Below—scenes from Trio! our first Spotlight Players production!—photos by Heidi Grass

CURTAIN CLOSED
April 26th & 27th

Promotional poster for "A Play in 2 Days!" directed by Paulette Gilbert, a two-day workshop for children ages 8-14 on April 26 and 27, 10am to 4pm at Sierra Stages Studio, presented by Sierra Theatre Company and Sierra Stages. Features purple curtains and theater elements.

A PLAY iN 2 DAYS!

A PLAY iN 2 DAYS!

A Play in 2 Days includes all aspects of play production, including auditions, blocking, rehearsal techniques, character building, and working with costumes and props. Participants will put all these elements together to create and present a short play for family and friends at the end of the second day! An amazingly fun and challenging process for all levels of theatrical experience.

Sierra Theatre Company logo with "Spotlight Players" text on an orange background.

Below scenes from A PLAY iN 2 DAYS APRIL 2025