Contra Costa Civic Theatre Youth Programs
951 Pomona Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530
About
Contra Costa Civic Theatre Youth Programs are offered by Contra Costa Civic Theatre, which is described as an award-winning youth program provider. The programs grew out of the theatre’s Pocket Theatre classes for children, which were described as unique to the area at the time and included chances for children to perform onstage.
• Schedule: Box Office Hours Tuesday – Friday 4 pm to 6 pm and one hour before performances
Contra Costa Civic Theatre began on November 1, 1959, with its first production, “Dear Ruth,” opening on February 5, 1960. Groundbreaking for the theatre’s Pomona facility took place in March 1971, and the grand opening at that location was held on Friday, July 23, 1971. The building used for the theatre consists of two World War II PX buildings joined together, and the seats were obtained from the old Lux Theatre, a burlesque house in Oakland, then scraped, reupholstered, painted, and installed by volunteers.
The organization’s leadership includes Hanna Mesraty as Interim Managing Director, Alexandra Rivers as Director of Education, Jen McFarlane as Marketing & Facilities Director, Patrick Becerril as Box Office Manager, Kristin Smith as Production Manager, and MaryJo Bruce as Bookkeeper. Board leadership includes Maureen Ray as Board President, Irene Takahashi, Esq. as Board Secretary, and board members Lisa Drummond, Karin Hern, Esq., Donna Houser, Marty Kaliski, Steven Kirby, Kathleen Ray, and Mark Wininger, with Kimberly Mayer and David Bogdonoff serving as Board Advisors. Community support for the theatre has included renovation funds raised through dinners, dances, and cocktail parties, volunteers using their homes as collateral for a bank loan, collaboration with members of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in El Cerrito, donated storage space from Elmer Freethy, and a one-dollar-per-year lease of the Boys Club building from the City of El Cerrito.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
• Schedule: Box Office Hours Tuesday – Friday 4 pm to 6 pm and one hour before performances
Contra Costa Civic Theatre began on November 1, 1959, with its first production, “Dear Ruth,” opening on February 5, 1960. Groundbreaking for the theatre’s Pomona facility took place in March 1971, and the grand opening at that location was held on Friday, July 23, 1971. The building used for the theatre consists of two World War II PX buildings joined together, and the seats were obtained from the old Lux Theatre, a burlesque house in Oakland, then scraped, reupholstered, painted, and installed by volunteers.
The organization’s leadership includes Hanna Mesraty as Interim Managing Director, Alexandra Rivers as Director of Education, Jen McFarlane as Marketing & Facilities Director, Patrick Becerril as Box Office Manager, Kristin Smith as Production Manager, and MaryJo Bruce as Bookkeeper. Board leadership includes Maureen Ray as Board President, Irene Takahashi, Esq. as Board Secretary, and board members Lisa Drummond, Karin Hern, Esq., Donna Houser, Marty Kaliski, Steven Kirby, Kathleen Ray, and Mark Wininger, with Kimberly Mayer and David Bogdonoff serving as Board Advisors. Community support for the theatre has included renovation funds raised through dinners, dances, and cocktail parties, volunteers using their homes as collateral for a bank loan, collaboration with members of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in El Cerrito, donated storage space from Elmer Freethy, and a one-dollar-per-year lease of the Boys Club building from the City of El Cerrito.
Last updated May 13, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.