Our Mission:

Our goal is to provide community members of all ages with exceptional theatre/arts-related programs and services. We strive to enrich the quality of life in our community by offering opportunities for artistic growth, as well as providing entertainment, education, and art awareness through stage performances and exhibits.

 

Sutter Street Theatre and the Theatre Production & Technical Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit nestled in the heart of Folsom’s Historic District, in an intimate but powerful venue located right on Sutter Street. In addition to galleries and specialty shops, you can find restaurants, wine bars, pubs, and the famous Snooks Chocolate Factory all within walking distance of our theatre.

Our ‘Annex’ building is located directly behind our theatre where we offer a wide range of learning opportunities catering to artists of all ages, interests, and levels of experience. We provide ongoing courses in various areas, including Acting, Improvisation & Scene Study, Vocal Music & Piano, Musical Theatre, Jazz & Tap Dance, and Visual Arts. Instructors also offer private lessons, and Sutter Street Theatre provides workshop intensives for both children and teens multiple times a year.

Over the past 18 years our productions have garnered recognition both locally and nationally in the form of nominations, awards, grants, and press in places such as the Folsom Telegraph, Sacramento Bee, Good Day Sacramento, KFBK, Sacramento Magazine, and even a mention in The Wall Street Journal! Our accolades also include numerous Elly Awards and nominations for Excellence in Theatre, an Arts Achievement Award from the Folsom Arts & Cultural Commission, a National Endowment for the Arts grant, and much more.

To see what productions we’re currently running, click here!

Connie Mockenhaupt

Founder, TPTA Artistic Director, CEO

Connie Mockenhaupt holds degrees in Dance, Drama, and Music, and has appeared in numerous musical productions from New York to California. She has directed, choreographed and/or musically directed over 1,000 shows. Mockenhaupt has devoted much of her life to education– teaching dance, drama and music–and was the original coordinator for the Natomas Performing & Fine Arts Academy Charter School in Sacramento, CA. She is also a professional musician, having played bassoon for the Sacramento Symphony, Music Circus, and various other orchestras. She is a recipient of the title National Outstanding Dance Educator of the Year as well as numerous Elly Awards for excellence in theatre, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

 

 

Mike Jimena

Founder, TPTA Managing Director, Co-Director of Mikon Productions

Mike Jimena’s artistic career has balanced between visual and performing arts. His paintings, murals, and set designs have been featured locally, regionally, and nationally. Those works can be seen in places such as Sutter Street Theatre, B Street Theatre, Fairy Tale Town, The California Arts Council, the Stage Nine store, and the California State Fair. Jimena has designed numerous Gold Medal award-winning exhibits for counties throughout California that may be viewed yearly at the California State Fair; his special awards include Best Design, Best Marketing & Best Animation. He is a founding teacher of Natomas Performing & Fine Arts Academy Charter School, and created the school’s original visual arts and stagecraft programs. Jimena is also a Recipient of the Wilkerson Fellowship for Arts Education, as well as a multi-Elly award winner for Set Designs & Lighting.

 

 

 

Allen Schmeltz

Artistic Associate, Publicist

Allen Schmeltz is an award-winning director, having directed over 80 productions, and was the founder and artistic director of the award-winning Garbeau’s Acorn & Oak Theatre for young people. Currently, he is an artistic associate, director, and teacher at the acclaimed Sutter Street Theatre. His productions received over 100 Elly nominations and numerous awards for excellence in theatre in every category from set design, to acting, to best production. As an actor, Schmeltz has appeared at numerous theatres in the Sacramento region. His most rewarding roles were the Stage Manager in Our Town, Blind Captain Jack in the critically acclaimed four-star production of Under Milkwood and as Henry in The Fantasticks. He has studied with artists such as Miriam Gray, Jack Lynn, Charlie Holliday, and Ed Claudio.

 

 

 

Eileen Beaver

Resident Costumer

As Sutter Street Theatre’s resident costumer, Eileen costumes most of the shows in both the Off-Broadway and Family Series. She’s been both costuming and performing in the greater Sacramento area for over 35 years and is the recipient of numerous Elly nominations and awards for her costuming, in addition to receiving the Sacramento Area Regional Theatre Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.  She is an accomplished actress and has been seen in many productions throughout the greater Sacramento area, most recently as Veta Louise Simmons in Harvey. Eileen is also the Director of Sutter Street Theatre’s Old Tyme Radio and is responsible for selecting and casting the monthly scripts and vocal performances, often appearing in the show herself.