California Children's Theater Concept
The Vision:
A Theater for the Next Generation
When the B Street Theatre, Sutter Health, and then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger launched a statewide initiative to create a California Children’s Theater in downtown Sacramento, I was honored to be brought in during the early stages to help shape the architectural vision.
This was more than just a project—it was a cultural initiative aimed at enriching the lives of children through exposure to the performing arts. The goal was to create a dedicated venue that could support professional-level productions, youth education, and community engagement all under one roof. My role included early conceptual design, programming, site studies, and collaboration with stakeholders to define a space that would serve as both a performance venue and a learning environment.
A Personal Passion Meets Professional Experience
This opportunity wasn’t just a good fit—it felt personal. Years earlier, I had volunteered on Broadway-style productions in Sacramento, running lighting with my brother and learning the backstage workings of live performance. In architecture school, I dedicated a full semester to designing a theater for a Southern California design competition. Professionally, I’ve since led the design of high school gyms and multipurpose performance spaces across California.
This depth of experience allowed me to approach the California Children’s Theater with both technical knowledge and a deep appreciation for the craft. While the project ultimately shifted course due to changing political and funding priorities, the work stands as one of the most rewarding early moments in my career—an intersection of community, culture, and creative architecture.
