ABOUT US
Our Mission is to create community and inspire individuals to discover their unique passion through pursuit of excellence in theatre arts.
About
Located in the serene redwoods of northern California, Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory strives to create quality theatrical experiences for audiences and artists throughout the Bay Area Peninsula. PVTC was founded by Artistic Director Cheryl Goodman-Morris, who is also pastor of Worship and Arts at Valley Presbyterian Church. It was Cheryl’s desire, along with PVTC Board Chair, Tom Kelley, and the members of Valley Pres to create a quality theatre arts program that would open VPC’s doors wide to the community. PVTC was incorporated as a 501c3 in 1994. Currently, 150 students, kindergarten through high school, take performing arts classes weekly at the Valley Pres campus. In addition, our teaching artists conduct classes in local schools, home schools, and in East Palo Alto. Plays and musicals featuring kids and adults focus on messages of hope and transformation. It has been thrilling to see that in our 17 years of existence, hundreds of students and thousands of audience members have become part PVTC’s special arts community!
PARTNERSHIPS
Valley Presbyterian Church
PVTC is very fortunate to make a home at Valley Presbyterian Church. The church generously shares space with us for classes, camps, MainStage shows, and workshops. They also provide us with storage room and allow us to keep technical instruments on campus. Members of the church have participated in many of our productions and serve as wonderful audience members, costume designers, stage managers, and volunteers. We could not exist without their support. For more information on Valley Pres Church and its mission, visit www.valleypreschurch.org
Society of Young Inklings
PVTC is proud to offer creative writing classes through a partnership with The Society of Young Inklings. Classes are for 2nd-8th graders on Wednesday Afternoons. Young Inklings offers other creative writing classes through the week. Visit their website at http://www.younginklings.com
Awards
In 2009, the Portola Valley Theatre Conservatory received the Small Theatre “Standout New Work” award by WAVE magazine Silicon Valley, for its production of the original musical, “Puah’s Midwife Crisis”. Written by Cheryl Goodman-Morris and Karen Russell, this musical premiered and played to sold out audiences at PVTC in March, 2009, then traveled to Louisvillie, KY., in July, 2009, and played at the Actors Theatre of Louisville and the National Presbyterian Women’s Gathering. If you would like more information about “Puah”, please visit our website at: www.puahthemusical.org, or check out the cool story in the Country Almanac.
