About
Young Company is part of The Western Stage and includes activities such as Spark Camp, Backstage Crew, Camp Assistants, Auditions, Apprenticeships, Touring Programs, Outreach Programs for Schools, Student Matinees, and Teacher Training. Spark Camp includes 40 activities in 15 days taught by professionals. Apprenticeships include positions in production, the costume and scene shop, and administration, mentored by The Western Stage professionals and guest artists.
• Schedule: Spark Camp runs 40 activities over 15 days
The Western Stage is a professionally managed, community-based theatre company and educational program that follows an educational mission and offers programs in Theatre production where students and theatre enthusiasts work side-by-side with theatre professionals. Young Company programs have been without a dedicated space since the loss of the Cabaret Theater, also known as the Salinas Women’s Club, in 2005. The Western Stage describes its programs as providing strong pathways and development for artists at early, mid, and late career stages, including hands-on experiences for early-career artists mentored by resident staff and seasonal guest artists, seasonal opportunities for mid-career professionals, and ways for late-career professionals to work with the next generation of artists while continuing their own practice.
The Western Stage lists a leadership and support team that includes Melissa Chin-Parker as Managing Artistic Director, Amanda Alvarez as Costume Shop Supervisor, John Bridges as Company Manager, Malinda DeRouen Mueller as Webmaster, Rebecca Houston-Browdy as Wardrobe Supervisor, Harvey Landa in Patron Services, David Parker as Resident Scenic Designer and Scenic Artist, Lupita Rodriguez as Program Assistant, Samantha Sullivan as Casting Coordinator, and Cheryl Worthy in Patron Services and as Box Office Manager. Over the years, partnerships with organizations such as Artists Ink, the National Steinbeck Center, the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts, the Watsonville JACL, and various school districts have extended The Western Stage’s theatre work into the community through consultation, special performances, or program development.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Schedule: Spark Camp runs 40 activities over 15 days
The Western Stage is a professionally managed, community-based theatre company and educational program that follows an educational mission and offers programs in Theatre production where students and theatre enthusiasts work side-by-side with theatre professionals. Young Company programs have been without a dedicated space since the loss of the Cabaret Theater, also known as the Salinas Women’s Club, in 2005. The Western Stage describes its programs as providing strong pathways and development for artists at early, mid, and late career stages, including hands-on experiences for early-career artists mentored by resident staff and seasonal guest artists, seasonal opportunities for mid-career professionals, and ways for late-career professionals to work with the next generation of artists while continuing their own practice.
The Western Stage lists a leadership and support team that includes Melissa Chin-Parker as Managing Artistic Director, Amanda Alvarez as Costume Shop Supervisor, John Bridges as Company Manager, Malinda DeRouen Mueller as Webmaster, Rebecca Houston-Browdy as Wardrobe Supervisor, Harvey Landa in Patron Services, David Parker as Resident Scenic Designer and Scenic Artist, Lupita Rodriguez as Program Assistant, Samantha Sullivan as Casting Coordinator, and Cheryl Worthy in Patron Services and as Box Office Manager. Over the years, partnerships with organizations such as Artists Ink, the National Steinbeck Center, the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts, the Watsonville JACL, and various school districts have extended The Western Stage’s theatre work into the community through consultation, special performances, or program development.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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