Cinderella of Loreland

1949

Rip Van Winkle

1953

Charlotte’s Web

1999

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

2011

About San Diego Junior Theatre

San Diego Old Globe Theatre in 1941

ABOUT JUNIOR THEATRE

San Diego Junior Theatre originally began as a community program of the Old Globe Theatre. Today, Junior Theatre operates as an independent, nonprofit organization for the benefit of children throughout San Diego County, and is the oldest youth theatre program in the country.

A RICH HISTORY

In 1948, the Junior Theatre Workshop of the San Diego Community Theater (now, the Old Globe Theatre) was established at the suggestion of Artistic Director, Craig Noel. With instructors and facilities provided under the Old Globe’s stewardship, founders Irma Fraser MacPherson and Mary Corrigan directed a group of students, ages eight to eighteen, in what became the first of many Junior Theatre productions.

Wegeforth Bowl, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, San Diego, CaliforniaAs Junior Theatre continued to flourish, it moved to Balboa Park’s old Food and Beverage building for its new rehearsal space. Early productions were held in Falstaff’s Tavern at the Old Globe Theatre, Wegeforth Bowl in the San Diego Zoo, Roosevelt Junior High School auditorium, and the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater stage.

By 1953, the San Diego Park and Recreation Department took over sponsorship of the program, and Junior Theatre moved to its current home in the Casa del Prado Theatre in its 1971-72 Season.

Whether it’s onstage, backstage, in the classroom, or in the audience, there’s a good chance that a child’s appreciation in the arts will begin at San Diego Junior Theatre.

JT Mark Circled Purple

“Having San Diego Junior Theatre as a foundation in my early years was invaluable to my success as a human being and those lessons continue to benefit me to this day.”

— Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Actor, Singer
Kiss Me Kate, Frasier, Man of La Mancha, Ragtime

“As a child, I experienced a deep sense of belonging at San Diego Junior Theatre, building my resiliency to achieve a creative purpose greater than myself and fostering leadership experience that continues to fuel my profession career today."

— Agnes Chu, President, Condé Nast Entertainment; Head of Content, Disney+

"I am so honored to be a part of the Junior Theatre community. No matter where I work in the theatre, a former Junior Theatre student is likely to be nearby. It’s a remarkable network that has been serving me since I was 13 years old."

— Casey Nicholaw, Director, Choreographer
Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Mean Girls

“Junior Theatre gifted me with a foundation of love for the craft, a dedication to community and a recognition that a leader lives in each of us. These are values that keep me rooted to this day."

— Cloteal L. Horne, Actor & Creative Producer

“San Diego Junior Theatre holds a very special place in my heart. The lessons I learned there, both onstage and offstage, have been invaluable throughout my career.”

— Jessica Sheridan, Actor, Singer
Hello Dolly, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Les Misérables, The Producers, Beauty and the Beast

“San Diego Junior Theatre was an invaluable experience that taught me a lot about the tools I needed to pursue acting as a career.”

— Charlotte Mary Wen, Actor, Singer
Hamilton the Musical, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

“San Diego Junior Theatre taught me things that apply not only to theatre, but to any profession. The most important thing I learned was how to think creatively and outside of the box, as well as how to collaborate and work as a team.”

— Matt Novotny, Lighting Designer
Guys and Dolls, A Little Night Magic, The Sound of Music, The Outsider

A TIMELINE OF SAN DIEGO JUNIOR THEATRE PRODUCTIONS

PRODUCTION HISTORY