San Diego Junior Theatre
Casa del Prado Classroom Building, 1650 El Prado #208, Suite 208, San Diego, CA 92101
About
San Diego Junior Theatre offers theatre education, stage productions, and other performing arts experiences for children and teens. The program includes both educational components and live theatrical productions.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Administrative office and box office hours on weekdays, with additional weekend hours and weekday camp hours when camps are in session
San Diego Junior Theatre’s mission is to provide engaging, innovative, high-quality theatre education and productions for children of all cultural heritages, ages, abilities, and levels of interest. The organization originally began as a performing arts community program of the Old Globe Theatre, with the Junior Theatre Workshop of the San Diego Community Theater established in 1948. By 1953, the San Diego Park and Recreation Department took over sponsorship of performances and the program, and Junior Theatre moved to its current home in the Casa del Prado Theatre in its 1971–72 theatre season. San Diego Junior Theatre is the nation’s longest running youth theatre organization and is the oldest educational youth theatre program in the country. It operates as an independent, nonprofit organization for the benefit of children throughout San Diego County and is a registered nonprofit organization. San Diego Junior Theatre has been providing theatre education and productions for San Diego youth for 77 years.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Desha Crownover, Producing Artistic Director Joey Price, Education Director Elissa Russell, Director of Communications & Patron Services Anthony Zelig, Production Manager Isaac Vermilye, Assistant Production Manager Gordon McLachlan, Education Coordinator Isadora Swann, Office Manager Nikki Saldana, Weekend Office Supervisor Lizzie Cisneros, Marketing & Patron Services Assistant Sabrina Webster, Costume Loft Coordinator Tammy Molenaar, and Office Assistant Tessa Molenaar. Educational programs and productions are funded in part by show ticket sales, class and camp registrations, and public contributions, with major funding from the California Arts Council, the County of San Diego, City of San Diego Cultural Affairs, the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, Patrons of the Prado, and the San Diego Junior Theatre Auxiliary.
Former participants describe the impact of San Diego Junior Theatre on their lives and careers, including actor and singer Brian Stokes-Mitchell, entertainment executive Agnes Chu, director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw, actor and creative producer Cloteal L. Horne, actor and singer Jessica Sheridan, actor and singer Charlotte Mary Wen, and lighting designer Matt Novotny.
Last updated March 15, 2026.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Administrative office and box office hours on weekdays, with additional weekend hours and weekday camp hours when camps are in session
San Diego Junior Theatre’s mission is to provide engaging, innovative, high-quality theatre education and productions for children of all cultural heritages, ages, abilities, and levels of interest. The organization originally began as a performing arts community program of the Old Globe Theatre, with the Junior Theatre Workshop of the San Diego Community Theater established in 1948. By 1953, the San Diego Park and Recreation Department took over sponsorship of performances and the program, and Junior Theatre moved to its current home in the Casa del Prado Theatre in its 1971–72 theatre season. San Diego Junior Theatre is the nation’s longest running youth theatre organization and is the oldest educational youth theatre program in the country. It operates as an independent, nonprofit organization for the benefit of children throughout San Diego County and is a registered nonprofit organization. San Diego Junior Theatre has been providing theatre education and productions for San Diego youth for 77 years.
The leadership team includes Executive Director Desha Crownover, Producing Artistic Director Joey Price, Education Director Elissa Russell, Director of Communications & Patron Services Anthony Zelig, Production Manager Isaac Vermilye, Assistant Production Manager Gordon McLachlan, Education Coordinator Isadora Swann, Office Manager Nikki Saldana, Weekend Office Supervisor Lizzie Cisneros, Marketing & Patron Services Assistant Sabrina Webster, Costume Loft Coordinator Tammy Molenaar, and Office Assistant Tessa Molenaar. Educational programs and productions are funded in part by show ticket sales, class and camp registrations, and public contributions, with major funding from the California Arts Council, the County of San Diego, City of San Diego Cultural Affairs, the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, Patrons of the Prado, and the San Diego Junior Theatre Auxiliary.
Former participants describe the impact of San Diego Junior Theatre on their lives and careers, including actor and singer Brian Stokes-Mitchell, entertainment executive Agnes Chu, director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw, actor and creative producer Cloteal L. Horne, actor and singer Jessica Sheridan, actor and singer Charlotte Mary Wen, and lighting designer Matt Novotny.
Last updated March 15, 2026.
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