The Drama in Bakersfield

Photo taken from eventful.com.

There is plenty of family friendly entertainment in Bakersfield to keep the family busy all year long.  When it comes to community theaters in Bakersfield, you have a variety of three community theaters to choose from.  There is Bakersfield Community Theatre, The Empty Space, and Spotlight Theatre.

First on center stage,Bakersfield Community Theatre.  Bakersfield Community Theatre a has long and successful history in Bakersfield.  According to BCT’s website, the theater is the longest running community theatre in Bakersfield stemming from 1927.   The first play ever presented by BCT was Frank Cravern’s  “The First Year”, performed at Bakersfield’s High School’s auditorium.   However BCT’s current venue, the BCT Playhouse was not built until 1961.   “In 2010, BCT was selected by the readers of the Bakersfield Californian as BEST OF: FAVORITE LIVE THEATRE.  Our shows keep getting better and our houses keep getting bigger,” according to the BCT website.  BCT’s next play is the children’s novel “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, showing Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00pm-8:30pm from June 7th-22nd,and Sundays at 2:00PM-3:30PM from June 9th-June 23rd.  General Admission is $12.00 for adults,$10.00 for children under 12,and free for children under 5.  BCT is located at 2400 S. Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93304, and can be contacted at 661-831-8114.  (BCT)

Next,The Empty Space. According to the Empty Space website The Empty Space which opened in 2003,has a reputation as the edgy theatre in town.  “The Empty Space” is the only community theater in Bakersfield that is free.  However,the theater does suggest a $10 donation for students, and $15 for adults.  The Empty Space is also the only community theater in Bakersfield to have a weekly improve night.  “Major League Improv” is at 6pm, every Saturday evening.  The next play showing at The Empty Space is the drama on teenage issues,”Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead”.  The play has it’s final two showing this Friday April,26th, and this Saturday April 27th,both at 11pm.  The Empty Space is located at “706 Oak Street Bakersfield, CA 93304,and can be contact at 661-327-PLAY (7529).  (The Empty Space)

With the spotlight now on “Spotlight Theatre”, this community theater in Bakersfield has shown classics,dramas,comedies,and musicals since 1999.  SpotlightTheatre as well as “BCT” offer a youth theatre department (children staring in plays).  (Spotlight Theatre)  Spotlight.com tells us how the Spotlight Theatre is the only theatre to have Marvin Ramey’s Dance experience.  Spotlight Theatre has no upcoming plays at the moment.  Spotlight Theatre is located at 1622 19th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301,and can be contacted at 661-634-0692‎.  (Spotlight Theatre)

With a selection of three community the theatres to choose from, Bakersfield has a wide selection of community theatre plays.  Both BCT and Spotlight Theatre offer internships, to people in the community.  BCT is online at bakersfieldcommunitytheatre.webs.com,  The Empty Space website is, www.esonline.org, and Spotlight Theatre’s website is www.thespotlighttheater.com.