Volcano Theatre Company

The Volcano Theatre Company is a not-for-profit community theatre run entirely by volunteers currently celebrating their 50th season of award-winning theatre at their two venues in the historic town of Volcano.

Located in historic Volcano California, the town that hosted the state’s first amateur theatrical company, Volcano Theatre Company (VTC) has been performing live theatrical productions that range from off-beat to famous plays since 1974.

Spring and Fall productions are in the 1856 Cobblestone Theatre, the smallest fixed seat theatre in California. Our two summer plays are held in our larger venue, the Volcano Amphitheater, which is also a delightful pre-performance picnic site under the stars.

Our inaugural production in 1974 was Nell Simon’s Prisoner of Second Avenue, the first performance of that work by any amateur group in California. From this venturous beginning, we have given audiences over four decades of quality theatrical entertainment.

Since 1989, the Volcano Theatre Company has been nominated for ninety-two “Ellys” and carried away thirteen. (The Elly is the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance’s equivalent of an Oscar or Tony Award.)

The Cobblestone Theatre, built in 1856 as Adolph Mayer’s Tobacco and Cigar Emporium, later housed Lavezzo’s Wine Shop. A disastrous fire in 1900, fueled by a cellar full of high-proof spirits, destroyed all but the sturdy stone walls you see today. Restored as an art gallery in the 1960s, the building was leased by the VTC beginning in 1974, and through the generosity of the Thebaut family, we acquired title in 1989.

Over the years, the success of our Company has enabled us not only to greatly improve the facilities of the Cobblestone Theatre, but also to acquire the property across the street for an amhitheatre. Fronted by the carefully-restored Gold Rush facade of the Hale Sash and Door Company, the amphitheatre provides a larger venue for our summer productions and a delightful pre-performance picnic site.

There are many ways to support Volcano Theatre Company, from acting in one of our shows to 

volunteering to help with set design, costuming, lighting, amphitheatre maintenance, or simply by making a donation…