For over 30 years we’ve been preparing the perfect show just for you..
California Regional Theater is a theater production group dedicated to the creation of excellent theater and the education of students of all ages in the art of performance.
Owner and founder Bob Maness began his journey in theatre at 17, directing his first performance in Los Angeles. His journey continued for over 30 years and over 700 performances in professional and community theaters as a director and producer through-out California including Los Angeles, Bakersfield, San Fransisco and now Chico.
In 2012 he started a new project that would change the north state of California in amazing and positive ways. California Regional Theatre was born with the Mission Statement: “People Above Project”. Bob believed that if you invest in people; spending time training, educating and fostering an atmosphere of positive encouragement, the performances would take care of itself. Since then, Bob has poured every minute of his 30 years experience into every show he produces, preparing what he hopes to be a great show each time for ticket holders. This, paired with his unique directing style, has made CRT one of the top Theater experiences in the North State; bringing to stage critically acclaimed Broadway shows that leave audiences in awe.
In 2012 CRT started with a handful of actors for its first performance “Peter Pan” and since then has rocketed to be among the top theater venues with shows like, “Les Miserables”, “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame”, “Beauty and the Beast” and many, many more. These are performed by our regional division at the Center for the Arts in Chico.
In 2021 CRT opened an additional theater location featuring the shows “The Last Five Years”, “Little Shop Of Horrors”, “Chicago” and many more. This intimate 130 seat venue offers a unique downtown atmosphere and seating, featuring “in-your-face” theatre accompanied by the First Street Bar. FIRST STREET THEATER was a huge hit in the community and reviews were outstanding. We look forward to the upcoming season with many more shows in this venue.
CRT youth theater academy (CRT KIDS) also started in 2012 with 13 students ages 8-12, Since then, CRT KIDS has grown to over 200 students in each session serving ages 5-16.
Each of these ages are divided into separate classes 5-6, 7-10, 11- 13 and 14-16 giving attention and education to each level as they come together to perform Broadway Jr. shows 4 times a year. So far CRT KIDS has performed over 130 shows, and impacted thousands of kids and their families in Northern California.
As a community partner we seek out charities, educational institutions and other non-profit organizations to assist and support locally and statewide.
CRT also offers many educational opportunities through children’s theater, youth theater, actor workshops, dance workshops and various other art and music oriented classes though our new Academy Classes.
All our highly successful programs are staffed by experienced, qualified instructors whose goal is to give back to the community through education and performance!
We invite you to attend a performance and see for yourself!
Bob Maness
Executive Director
California Regional Theatre
