Salinas
California
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Salinas Performing Arts, Inc
History:
Salinas Performing Arts (SPA) has a long and productive history of fostering the performing arts in Salinas.
Unofficially, Salinas Performing Arts began at Hartnell College in 1960. With the enthusiasm and talents of Tom Sinclair, Karen O'Grady, and Jan Woodard, an experimental musical production, a musical revue, A Little Bit of Broadway, was successfully produced to prove that a musical could succeed using local talent.
In 1961-62 two musicals were presented at Hartnell: Brigadoon and The King and I. Although these two productions were successful, there was no support from the college at that time, so it was felt there was need for a community theatre with the emphasis on the local adult performer rather than the student.
Establishing it's bylaws in 1969 and in 1974, Tom Sinclair, with Clinora Wiley and Joann Adair, embarked on the formation of Salinas Performing Arts, Inc. Through the fund raising efforts of SPA, the main theater at Hartnell College was built. This eventually became the home of The Western Stage, which took over the musical theater productions.
Salinas Performing Arts (SPA) has a long and productive history of fostering the performing arts in Salinas.
Unofficially, Salinas Performing Arts began at Hartnell College in 1960. With the enthusiasm and talents of Tom Sinclair, Karen O'Grady, and Jan Woodard, an experimental musical production, a musical revue, A Little Bit of Broadway, was successfully produced to prove that a musical could succeed using local talent.
In 1961-62 two musicals were presented at Hartnell: Brigadoon and The King and I. Although these two productions were successful, there was no support from the college at that time, so it was felt there was need for a community theatre with the emphasis on the local adult performer rather than the student.
Establishing it's bylaws in 1969 and in 1974, Tom Sinclair, with Clinora Wiley and Joann Adair, embarked on the formation of Salinas Performing Arts, Inc. Through the fund raising efforts of SPA, the main theater at Hartnell College was built. This eventually became the home of The Western Stage, which took over the musical theater productions.