North Bay Theatre Group

The North Bay Theatre Group started in June of 2002. Originally formed to talk about creating a New Drama Works Festival throughout Sonoma Countyand other possible cooperative ventures, the attendees were representatives Sonoma County Rep, Cinnabar Theater, Actors Theatre, Santa Rosa Players, Pacific Alliance Stage Company and Pegasus Theater.

The group was brought together by John Moran and Larry Carlin, both of Sonoma County Rep. Soon the conversation, held in a property developer's office in downtown Santa Rosa, turned into a fully fledged discussion of ways to make live theatre stronger and to make the public more aware of what was on offer in the county.

The New Drama Works Festival became a reality and was held in 2003 with much success. But the focus soon shifted to promotional and networking ties to bind the core group closer together. It was decided to meet regularly, to exchange news, offer help to each other and help those who were unable to advertise in the local press the ability to do so through a coop ad. That ad became a reality in 2003 with the first combined advertising for live theatre ever. The combo ad ran in the Bohemian for two years and is now running in the Press Democrat.

NBTG presently comprises some 42 companies and individuals who produce live theatre or are involved with the production of theatre in the the five counties of the North Bay: Lake, Mendocino, Marin, Napa and Sonoma. Those members and individuals may be found by clicking HERE .

Apart from combined advertising and close networking, NBTG offers a two for one card called THE THEATRE EXPRESS CARD which is sold to the public for $29 (The original number of member theatres at the time). The holder of the card may see a production at half price. Though not a money maker for NBTG, it encourages the public to see as many different productions by different member theatres as they can in a year for a radically ridiculous price!

The concept of NBTG has always been that, no matter how big or small, we are all pulling in the same direction and all have equal sway in how we proceed. NBTG does NOT mandate how its membership should conduct their business either artistically or administratively. We are our membership.