SPOTLiGHT PLAYERS
Where Kids Play!
Whether your child is a beginner or a triple-threat in the making, our theatre program offers opportunities that cultivate and inspire confidence on stage and in life! Your child will grow and have a blast as we harness their energy, explore hidden talents and find new ones... all while making new friends. There is something for every child—no experience needed, just bring your imagination!
Paulette Gilbert, Director of Spotlight Players
Small performers and Big imagination take the Spotlight!
SPOTLiGHT PLAYERS
THEATRE CLASSES
& SUMMER CAMPS!
SPRING CLASSES
Dramatic Adventures $225
4-6 & 7-9 yrs (8 classes)
Instructor Paulette Gilbert
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 Tuesdays March 24, 31 / April 14, 21 / May 5, 12, 19, 26
• 4-6yrs. - 3:30-4:30pm (Must be 4yrs. by Feb 24)
• 7-9yrs. - 4:20-5:20pm
• Sharing Showcase: May 26th / 5:15pm
RETURNING IN THE FALL
Musical Theatre for Beginners
8-11 yrs (8 classes)
SUMMER CAMPS
Dramatic Adventures $250
5-8 yrs
Instructor Paulette Gilbert
9am to noon, Monday thru Friday
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. The week concludes with a special Showcase created from our explorations and work.
June 22rd to 26th (must be 5yrs. by May 22)
• Sharing Showcase: June 26th / 11:45am
July 13th to 17th (must be 5yrs. by June 13)
• Sharing Showcase: July 17th / 11:45am
Acting FUNdamentals $250
9-14 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. The week concludes with a special Showcase created from our explorations and work. ALL experience levels welcome!
July 6th to 10th
• Sharing Showcase: July 10th / 11:45am
August 3rd to 7th
• Sharing Showcase: August 7th / 11:45am
Instructor Christi Colombo
2025 Spotlight Players’ Sharing Showcase!
The fine print
• Classes and camps held at Sierra Theatre Company Studio, 828 W Main St, Grass Valley, CA
• Registration must close 2 days prior to the first day to properly prepare. Don’t delay!
• Wear appropriate clothing for movement. Closed-toe shoes; No flip flops, sandals or boots.
• Last day includes a 30min Friends and Family Sharing Showcase.
• $25 sibling discounts
• Maximum 10 participants per class.
• Partial scholarships may be available. Contact Sierra Theatre Company before registering at info@sierratheatrecompany.org
Sierra Theatre Company wants everyone to have the chance to create theatre magic! We offer limited partial scholarships at our discretion.
To apply, please email info@sierratheatrecompany.org with a short note describing why a scholarship is needed.
Deadlines for scholarship consideration are January 13th.
Scenes from our 2025 Fall Classes’ Sharing Showcase!
Coming Soon
A magical journey unfolds through two beloved Japanese folktales. A giant peach delivers Momotarō, a brave boy who, with loyal animal friends, defeats fearsome ogres and restores peace to his village. In a glowing bamboo stalk, Kaguya-hime, the Moon Princess, is discovered and raised on Earth, only to one day return to her home on the Moon, leaving behind a bittersweet farewell.
Together, these timeless tales celebrate courage, compassion, friendship, and the beauty of letting go, creating an enchanting theatrical experience for the entire family.
Running time: Approx. 50min / No Intermission
Recommended for the young at heart and kids 5 years and older
Tickets General/Adult $16 - Student/Child $10
General Seating - House opens 30 min before showtime
Box Office opens 60 min before showtime
NOTE: MAY 1st & 8th / 10am SCHOOL MATINEES / GRADES 1st-6th
Traditional AND Home School groups welcome! Study guides available upon request.
These performances will be followed by a brief Q&A talkback with the actors.
To book group tickets contact: info@sierratheatrecompany.org
Congrats to the cast! Peach Boy & the Moon Princess will be performed by a company of 18 talented kids, ages 7 to 14 years!
DIRECTOR & INSTRUCTOR Paulette Gilbert
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
Photos by Bob Free, Heidi Grass & Penny Collins
INSTRUCTOR
Christi Colombo
Christi Colombo brings nearly three decades of stage experience to young, budding performers. A former child actor herself—with credits in musical theater, tv, film, and voiceover—she understands firsthand the challenges young performers face. She is a trained vocal coach with a BFA in Musical Theater, has taught middle school show choir, and currently substitute teaches in the Nevada City School District. As a mother, Christi knows how to create a warm, encouraging environment that helps children shine while having fun!
Photos by Heidi Grass & David Wong
Stay tuned for next time!
“I LOVED it all!”
A Play in a Few 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 workshop! An amazingly fun and challenging process for all levels of theatrical experience.
This January we brought you two workshops for kids ages 7-10 and 9-15
Contact us for more info info@sierratheatrecompany.org
“It was thrilling and so much fun to make a play in just two days!”
“My daughter participated in A Play in 2 Days, and it was a fantastic introduction to theater. The workshop was fun and engaging, and my daughter loved working with Paulette! ”
“Paulette sees the magic of what every child brings to the weekend and makes sure everyone has a creative experience that fosters skills beyond theatre — it’s about each child growing both a sense of self and a sense of community.”
“Playing different characters was fun, and I made some new friends!”
“Our daughter went from theater curious to theater enthusiast, under Paulette’s incredible direction. Paulette is a creative force who crafts a transformative experience, for young actors; our child truly feels that she has a forever home, on the stage.”
Scenes from A Play in a Few Days, January 2026
Where Kids Play!
