With turn-of-the-century melodramas, audiences were encouraged to get involved with the campy theatrics via boos and hisses whenever the villain took the stage or soulful sighs for the young lovers.
Established in 1865, the Nevada Theatre has been hosting live performances for almost 150 years, making it the Golden State's oldest original-use theater building.
First Theater in Monterey is older but was built as a tavern.) In its heyday, it welcomed storytellers such as Mark Twain and Jack London, although it has been revamped a few times since (including a retrofitting for showing films.
Pulling from an inventory culled from 35 years' worth of productions, American Conservatory Theater's rental department can outfit you from crown to buckled boots.
Making published plays available to community and collegiate theaters, French helped support the burgeoning amateur theater movement.
