MAINSTAGE SEASON
FRT’s primary programming is our annual mainstage season. We produce five shows that are, in the truest sense, community theater. They are cast, designed, and led entirely by local artists. Our community plays an active role in selecting published works that reflect both popular interest and cultural curiosity, with past seasons ranging from Sister Act, Man of La Mancha, and Fun Home to titles like The Prom, Kinky Boots, and Smokey Joe’s Café.

All performances take place in the rural, historic town of Ferndale (population 1,550), and run approximately four weekends. Across a season, roughly 150 local community members participate on stage or behind the curtain. Each season, FRT welcomes approximately 8,000 patrons each year from all corners of Humboldt County and beyond.

EDUCATION PROGRAM
FRT’s education programs have served our region for over 20 years, evolving to meet the needs of our rural community. Our current focus is a summer training intensive for youth ages 8-17, enrolling 25-35 students annually. In a rural region where access to arts training is limited, this program provides an entry point for young people to explore theater in an accessible and supportive environment. The curriculum balances soft skills such as collaboration, confidence-building, and public speaking, with foundational theater training, including singing, acting, design, and basic technical production.

OFF-SEASON ENGAGEMENT
During the months when our mainstage season is on pause, FRT remains active through a series of smaller, community-centered events. These programs recognize the theater’s role as a cultural and economic hub in Ferndale which plays a greater role in attracting folks from around the County to visit our small town. Our Off-Season Engagement Series has included a community movie series featuring classic and local films, as well as interactive murder mystery events that invite audiences into a playful, “whodunit” experience.