Solana Beach Community Theater
742 Genevieve Street, Suite F, Solana Beach, CA 92075
About
Solana Beach Community Theater offers youth and community theater programs that include teaching art classes, learning stage and set design, and producing shows. Participants take part in main stage shows, black box shows, summer camps, and art classes that can include painting with acrylic, watercolor, or pencil in an all-ages art studio and studio space.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Price: Budgets range from $20,000 for an “in House” production to $40,000 for a production at a local school.
Solana Beach Community Theater (SBCT) was founded in 2021 as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) Youth and Community Theater Program. Its stated mission is to create an equitable theater and class structure that is accessible and inclusive to everyone in the North County San Diego community, with a commitment to racial diversity, equality, and inclusion. The program is described as very pro-artist, supporting actors, playwrights, musicians, directors, and technical crew, and aims to create the best possible stage experience for children and adults of San Diego that is accessible and all inclusive to anyone who has a desire to be in the performing arts.
SBCT tries to do two larger main stage shows a year and at least two other black box shows at the studio, with most performers under 18 years of age and increasing adult participation. The organization hires local artists to train and run lights and sound and to train the next generation, and states a value of artists’ rights and an aim to pay all artists a living wage. Cast fees, ticket sales, and other sales such as telegrams help offset production costs.
The Leadership in Training (LIT) program was designed by Girl Scout GOLD Award recipient Mila Ellis, who is described as the “BrainChild” of the LIT program and received a $2,000 educational scholarship to UC Redlands to further her education in the arts. LIT applicants volunteer as camp counselors, during auditions, and at larger shows, with a stated goal to hire LIT students once they turn 16 and get a driver’s license. The program supports LIT participants’ further education classes in dance, art, vocal, and acting, and offers incentives for LIT volunteers such as pizza parties, gift cards, and candy bars.
Community Engagement Programs are directed to underserved neighborhoods and provide free music, art, and theater education to hundreds of children annually who may otherwise not have access to extracurricular arts programs. SBCT includes adults and youth with special needs who want to participate in the arts program in an inclusive manner. Scholarships are provided to roughly 10% of actors, and the scholarship program includes youth and adults with special needs and those in the foster care system. Scholarship applications require essays from both the actor and a parent or adult, and returning scholarship actors must complete 10–20 hours of community service, which can be for SBCT or other groups. A scholarship committee made up of Board Members reads letters and tracks involvement, and SBCT works with local organizations to create instruction to individuals in art.
The all-ages art studio serves youth, adults, and elderly participants. The art program is described as an after-school program for all abilities, and the art instruction is described as helping elderly participants return to their passion and heal through painting and instruction. Mr. Stiles is an art instructor who can teach acrylic, watercolor, or pencil. Jojo (Jolene Dodson Bogard) is an experienced Theatre Director and Acting Teacher whose professional entertainment career began 30 years ago after she graduated from USC’s School of Cinema; she has been a writer/producer on numerous television and feature films and has managed and directed productions for an award-winning children’s theatre company in Orange County. The leadership team includes Jolene “Jojo” Dodson Bogard (Board Member at Solana Beach Community Theater), Emmy Claire Kaiden (Choreographer), Mr. Stiles (Art instructor), and Mila Ellis.
Testimonials from Jolene “Jojo” Bogard about the program include “Best money ever spent!”, “This is the most rewarding work I have ever done.”, and “Directing shows was a way for me to bond with my step daughter. Her love of Theatre made me want to get back into theatre. It's been the greatest gift that keeps on giving.”
Last updated August 3, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Price: Budgets range from $20,000 for an “in House” production to $40,000 for a production at a local school.
Solana Beach Community Theater (SBCT) was founded in 2021 as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) Youth and Community Theater Program. Its stated mission is to create an equitable theater and class structure that is accessible and inclusive to everyone in the North County San Diego community, with a commitment to racial diversity, equality, and inclusion. The program is described as very pro-artist, supporting actors, playwrights, musicians, directors, and technical crew, and aims to create the best possible stage experience for children and adults of San Diego that is accessible and all inclusive to anyone who has a desire to be in the performing arts.
SBCT tries to do two larger main stage shows a year and at least two other black box shows at the studio, with most performers under 18 years of age and increasing adult participation. The organization hires local artists to train and run lights and sound and to train the next generation, and states a value of artists’ rights and an aim to pay all artists a living wage. Cast fees, ticket sales, and other sales such as telegrams help offset production costs.
The Leadership in Training (LIT) program was designed by Girl Scout GOLD Award recipient Mila Ellis, who is described as the “BrainChild” of the LIT program and received a $2,000 educational scholarship to UC Redlands to further her education in the arts. LIT applicants volunteer as camp counselors, during auditions, and at larger shows, with a stated goal to hire LIT students once they turn 16 and get a driver’s license. The program supports LIT participants’ further education classes in dance, art, vocal, and acting, and offers incentives for LIT volunteers such as pizza parties, gift cards, and candy bars.
Community Engagement Programs are directed to underserved neighborhoods and provide free music, art, and theater education to hundreds of children annually who may otherwise not have access to extracurricular arts programs. SBCT includes adults and youth with special needs who want to participate in the arts program in an inclusive manner. Scholarships are provided to roughly 10% of actors, and the scholarship program includes youth and adults with special needs and those in the foster care system. Scholarship applications require essays from both the actor and a parent or adult, and returning scholarship actors must complete 10–20 hours of community service, which can be for SBCT or other groups. A scholarship committee made up of Board Members reads letters and tracks involvement, and SBCT works with local organizations to create instruction to individuals in art.
The all-ages art studio serves youth, adults, and elderly participants. The art program is described as an after-school program for all abilities, and the art instruction is described as helping elderly participants return to their passion and heal through painting and instruction. Mr. Stiles is an art instructor who can teach acrylic, watercolor, or pencil. Jojo (Jolene Dodson Bogard) is an experienced Theatre Director and Acting Teacher whose professional entertainment career began 30 years ago after she graduated from USC’s School of Cinema; she has been a writer/producer on numerous television and feature films and has managed and directed productions for an award-winning children’s theatre company in Orange County. The leadership team includes Jolene “Jojo” Dodson Bogard (Board Member at Solana Beach Community Theater), Emmy Claire Kaiden (Choreographer), Mr. Stiles (Art instructor), and Mila Ellis.
Testimonials from Jolene “Jojo” Bogard about the program include “Best money ever spent!”, “This is the most rewarding work I have ever done.”, and “Directing shows was a way for me to bond with my step daughter. Her love of Theatre made me want to get back into theatre. It's been the greatest gift that keeps on giving.”
Last updated August 3, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.