History
Patterson Repertory Theatre started as a summer project in the summer of 2003. Tori Lee Scoles observed that the residents of Patterson had to drive to other towns to enjoy theatre. As an experiment, Tori approached Patterson Parks and Recreation Director Adrienne Chaney with a proposal of mounting a summer acting workshop for teenagers in the park. In the mean time, Colton Dennis was expressing his own desire to direct a play in Patterson. Colton chose a musical that both Tori and he loved, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
On the first day of workshop, only one young girl showed up, but she had a friend. That friend had a friend and so on, until the Youth Theatre Workshop had 10-30 participants.
After A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Colton and Tori changed Patterson Community Theatre to the year round Patterson Repertory Theatre. They applied for non-profit status.
The first shows with the Youth Theatre were in the small park where the old Del Puerto Hotel used to stand (now it's the new City Hall) with only parents and passers by as audience members. The young actors mounted small one act plays, The Big Black Box and The Pot Boiler before moving into their new digs at Patterson High School Auditorium.
Patterson Rep now has an annual Art and Wine Gala that keeps growing in its size and attendance each year.
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