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Chautauqua Series Program

Finale for 2007 musical.

2008 Chautauqua Series Event Schedule

All evening shows begin at 8pm

Program Description

The Chautauqua Series Program at OAEC is a performance series that aims to reflect the progressive community and artistic ambitions of the original traveling Chautauquas of a hundred years ago (see History of Chautauqua below). Through the Chautauqua Series and Revue, we open our doors and invite the greater community to come hear thought provoking stories and lectures, hear great music, and share laughter and poignant moments with other audience members. To view a slide show of highlights from past Chautauqua events click here .

Chautauqua clowns blasting off!

The Revue

When we at the OAEC conceived of building an outdoor lecture venue, we quickly decided that its scope should be increased to also be able to serve as a theatrical venue. The North Garden Theater was completed in the spring of 2003 and that same year we presented the inaugural Chautauqua Revue, a single evening of dance, music, clown, storytelling, and news of important work in our community.

We have now produced six Revues (two in 2004), and have expanded the program to include three evening shows and a children’s matinee. While music and clown have remained the cornerstone of our Revues, stories and news about the work of the OAEC and other people in our community working for positive change in the world has been a key component of each show. Just as the original Chautauquas were populist gatherings where lecture was as important as the latest entertainments, the OAEC Chautauqua finds its identity in the mix of seemingly disparate elements.

The Series

Evolving alongside the annual Revue is the Chautauqua Series. This is a summertime series of music, storytelling, and lecture events that are open to the public. In 2008, we look forward to presenting a range of musical, lecture and theatrical events.

Road Shows

It has been our desire since the inception of the Chautauqua Program to eventually take incarnations of the Revue to other rural communities. We pulled off our first “Road Show” in the summer of 2007 when we co-produced a Chautauqua Revue at Oz Farm in Point Arena, Mendocino County. Working with local producer Shauna Boyd, we brought half of a show and melded it with talent from the local community to make an inspiring evening of entertainment and stories.
In 2008, we hope to produce at least four of these shows in other communities, the first of which is already set for February 9th in Bolinas on the Marin County coast. If you are interested in bringing the Chautauqua Revue to your town, give us a call.

North Garden Theater at OAECThe Theater

The North Garden Theater is the home for the Chautauqua Series and Revue as well as many classes and lectures that occur in conjunction with OAEC programs and classes. With a seating capacity of about 130 adults, the Theater boasts a state of the art sound system and theatrical lighting. While built with the practical necessities of a theater in mind, the Theater is unique in many ways: its being just below the 34 year old Mother Garden of the OAEC; benches hand carved from reclaimed old-growth slabs of redwood; whimsical stage walls built out of a range of reclaimed and locally sourced materials including slate, split rail, wainscoting, copper, and old barn siding; and, a “ceiling” of arching Live oak and Bay laurel limbs.

Begun with the construction of the main stage area in the spring of 2003, the theater has been built over the last five years. In 2007, the stage left wing, more backstage space, and a storage room were added. We are always happy to see not only audiences being inspired by the Theater, but performers as well.

Contact the Theater Manager

If you would like to find out more about the Chautauqua Program, would like to appear on our stage, or would like to bring the Revue to your town, contact James Pelican, OAEC's Theater Manager, at (707) 874-1557 ext. 208 or at james@oaec.org.