About NBT
By the community. For the community.
At North Bay Theatrics, we believe theatre is about more than just the spotlight. It’s about connection, growth, and creating a place where every student is seen, heard, and celebrated.
We are located just minutes off the freeway in Cotati, California, and serve young performers and aspiring backstage artists from all over Sonoma County. Our students come from Windsor, Forestville, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, and Petaluma. Our home base is the Ray Miller Community Center in Cotati, where we offer year-round theater education and productions. We also provide school drama programs for the Waugh School District in Petaluma and the Sebastopol Union School District in Sebastopol.
Our mission is simple and powerful:
To provide a safe and inclusive environment that is accessible to all young people. We create leadership opportunities and foster relationships so every individual can build confidence while having fun, being themselves, and discovering their value through the performing arts.
Whether it’s a student’s first time on stage or their tenth production, every participant at North Bay Theatrics is given the opportunity to shine. We custom-fit our material to each cast, making sure that every student has a meaningful, character-named role and a personal bow moment to be celebrated. We value each child equally, no matter what their role is. Students don’t just grow as performers and crew members. They grow as people.
What we love most about theatre is getting to know the students as individuals and building a sense of family. The relationships built here often extend far beyond the stage. Many of our students make lifelong friends through our programs. Some go on to study theatre in college and build professional careers in the arts.
We are powered by the passion and generosity of our volunteers—parents, teens, and community members. Their support is the foundation that makes each production possible.
There are many theatre programs to choose from in Sonoma County, and each offers something unique. What sets North Bay Theatrics apart is our focus on the people in the room. Our priority is to help each student grow—not only as a performer or technician, but as a person.
I Love You, Marin County!
Dear North Bay Theatrics Families (past and present),
After nearly a decade of directing and teaching in Marin County, I want to share a heartfelt update: I’ve made the decision to pause North Bay Theatrics programming in Marin County for the foreseeable future.
This choice didn’t come easily. Marin has been a second home to me, a place where I’ve grown as an artist, an educator, and a leader. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many incredible students and families, and I’m deeply grateful for the memories we’ve built together. I’ve held on here because of how much I love this community, and I’m so glad I got to close this chapter with one final production that truly captured the magic we’ve shared.
We have officially closed Six: The Musical (Teen Edition), our final Marin County production. Performed at The Playhouse in San Anselmo, this show marked the end of an era, and it was filled with joy, power, and love. We were one of the last groups to perform in the space under the nonprofit Playhouse organization before its transition to new management under the University of Redlands. I’m grateful we got this final moment before big changes arrive.
I also want to be very clear: North Bay Theatrics is not closing. The organization is growing, and I’ve made the decision to focus that growth in Sonoma County, where demand is higher and our programs are thriving. Making difficult business decisions is never easy, but it’s part of building something sustainable. I want to honor the work we’ve done and open the door to even more students in the future.
That said, I’m actively exploring ways to stay connected to our Marin community. I plan to return next summer with a Mean Girls musical camp, and I’d love for us to reunite in a creative, fun environment. I’m also hoping to host occasional events like sing-alongs and karaoke nights, which will give us the chance to gather without the demands of a full production.
Please know this is not goodbye. To every student and family I’ve had the honor of working with, if you ever need help preparing for an audition, building a resume, or getting a headshot, I am here for you. It would be my privilege to support you in chasing your dreams, whether it’s with another company or something entirely your own.
And to my students, who truly feel like my kids, you still have the love and support of a very weird, wacky teacher who believes in you and sees you for exactly who you are. Whether you’re in a show with me right now or not, that will never change.
Thank you for trusting me with your kids. Thank you for the laughter, the art, the chaos, the beauty, and the heart. I carry it all with me, always.
With love,
Ashley
