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About

Striving for Artistic Excellence

Our mission…

Believing in the power of theatre to startle the soul, ignite debate and embrace the diversity of the community in which it serves, Cygnet Theatre Company is fearlessly committed to the dissection, examination and celebration of the human story through the medium of live theatre.

Staying true to our mission

Since its founding in 2003, Cygnet Theatre has grown into one of San Diego’s leading theatre companies and is known for producing adventurous, entertaining and thought-provoking live professional theatre year round.

Cygnet first started producing high caliber work in 2003 in a 165-seat house located in San Diego’s Rolando area near SDSU.  A high percentage all productions have been local premieres, as Cygnet believes strongly in bringing new voices to the community. These have been balanced with classics and musicals. The community response from the beginning was tremendous and Cygnet soon needed a larger venue. In 2008, Cygnet moved to the 246-seat Old Town Theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where we reach over 40,000 people annually.  Our next major milestone happens in September of this year (2025) when move into our new state-of-the-art-home in Arts District Liberty Station.

What’s In A Name?

When Cygnet was more of an idea than a reality, we began contemplating what the name of our company would be. We were very small but ready to announce our presence. In Elizabethan England, the Swan Theatre was built in 1595. It was a contemporary theatre to William Shakespeare, known for his Globe Theatre. We had ambitions to rival San Diego’s Old Globe in quality and heart and decided that our “rival” theatre to theirs would be named after the Shakespearean rival, The Swan. Since we were so small at the time, we named ourselves after the young version of a swan, the cygnet. Thus: Cygnet Theatre. When Old Globe founder Craig Noel was told about the origin of our new name, he laughed fully and gave us his whole-hearted approval. It delighted him, he said, and thus a cygnet was born.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Cygnet Theatre’s mission is based upon creating conversations among our diverse artistic communities and audiences. It’s about creating theatre that helps us all hear and understand each other better and inspire empathy. We acknowledge that theatre culture locally and nationally has practiced racist and discriminatory behaviors that have resulted in the exclusion and mistreatment of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. Although Cygnet Theatre has always strived to be inclusive, we acknowledge more can and must be done.

We re-commit to the data-driven self-evaluation of our work environment internally and externally through our programming, administration, marketing, philanthropy, and overall institutional practices to identify and implement equity and inclusion throughout our organization, both onstage and off.

We welcome this opportunity to identify and implement positive changes that can be made and affirm our responsibility as an organization that serves the public good to feed and inspire a more equitable society.

We have a lot of work to do. We will do better. To start, we will create visible and meaningful accountability measures to ensure the success of our work.

We Commit
  • To being UPstanders, rather than bystanders, as we actively disrupt inequity, systemic racism, and other forms of oppression in our community.
  • To update our mission statement and core values statements to include our commitment to anti-oppression and anti-racism.
  • To continue to invest in our staff and board members through regular EDI training and conversations.
  • To recognize that theatre is the art form of democracy. Therefore, we will intentionally create policies and practices to increase the access BIPOC and other underrepresented staff, artists pool, and board of trustees have for advancement, promotions, and the ability to contribute their ideas and talents to the organization.
  • To the just and equitable disbursement of resources for all employees including non-unionized artists that work for our company.
  • To create the conditions for safety. Our task is to create and nurture spaces where safety is prioritized so that we can make the best art we are capable of.
  • This includes hiring cultural consultants when relevant and appropriate to serve in the rehearsal room for communities of color, racially and ethnically diverse individuals, tribal communities, immigrant and refugee communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and communities that have principal languages other than English. These practices will expand beyond the rehearsal room to include our staff, administration, board, and audiences.
We Believe In
  • Community: We believe that artists, community partners, administration, staff, and board members with differing backgrounds and life experiences enhance our ability to succeed and create a richer experience for all.
  • Balance: We believe that maintaining balance in our work and personal lives is crucial. Balance allows for the inspiration to create. It also contributes to a joyous work environment where team members can learn from one another and build meaningful personal connections.
  • Diversity: We believe that diversity reflects a broad range of voices, points-of-view, histories, perspectives, and experiences. We recognize that some voices have been intentionally and systematically excluded and that society as a whole can grow when these voices are heard and included.
  • Empathy: We believe that theatre is a place where art can be created, where one can explore what it is to be human and in turn foster a shared culture of empathy and understanding. Theatre is by its nature a unique art form that celebrates what it is to be alive and therefore must be created in a nurturing, inclusive, and supportive environment.
We Have
  • Engaged in ongoing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging training for all of our staff with (R)EVOLVE Consulting beginning in July of 2021.
  • Committed to a 5-day rehearsal week and 8-hour tech rehearsals to reflect our belief in balance.
  • Increased BIPOC representation at all levels of the institution: actors, playwrights, staff, and board members.
  • Hired an Education, Outreach and Inclusion manager.
  • Posted our Land Acknowledgement in our theatre as well as a printed version in our programs recognizing that our theatre rests on occupied Kumeyaay territory.
  • Intentionally worked to use and recognize pronouns.
  • Implemented a practice of inclusive and color conscious casting for all productions.
  • Created practices to ensure gender parity in hiring practices.
  • Ensured that the majority of new play commissions are written by artists in the global majority.
Current Board of Directors
Barbara Bolt, President Sean Murray
Dr. Edgar Canada, Vice President Arthur Neumann
Linda Lenhard, Secretary Terry O’Donnell
Lesslie Keller, Treasurer Anise Ritchie
Ben Aguilar Mary Roberts
Monique Gaffney Bill Schmidt
Yolanda Holcomb Christy White
Ellie Lynch Barbara Zell
Past Board of Directors
Paul Bedington Jessica John Gercke Judy McMorrow
Mark Bennett Cherie Halladay KB Mercer*
Doreen Black Jane Haskel Tim Mulligan
April Blankfort Ronald Heller MD, JD Wendy Nash
Erica Boddie Annie Hinton Deborah B. Pettry, PhD
Ellen Cherin Patricia Hodgkin Pamela Richards
Sandra Ellis-Troy* Ralph Johnson Rick Rinaldi
Manny Fernandes Paula Kamphaus* Marc Roland
Joe Fisch Ann Laddon Lee Lampard Stone
Martha Frank Sharon Lieder Gene Summ
Judy Garrett Robin J. Lipman Luis Valdivia

* = deceased

Administration

General Manager
Autumn Doermann-Rojas

Controller
Hall Hodgson

Development

Development Director
Marinda Peugh

Development Associate
Emma Bradford

Grants & Philanthropic Operations Manager
Neville Engelbrecht

Events Manager
Eileen Prisby

Major Gifts Officer
James Saba

Marketing

Digital Marketing & Advertising Specialist
Alexis Alabado

Marketing & Communications Specialist
Joel Ellazar

Graphic Designer
Raphael Estrada

Facilities & IT

Operations Manager
Manny Fernandes

Education & Outreach

Education & Outreach Director
Carlos Mendoza

Production

Producing Director
Craig Campbell

Production Manager
Eric Clark

Technical Director
Mathys Herbert

Head Electrician
Skeeter Barraza

Wardrobe Supervisor
Sarah Marion

Front of House

Box Office Manager
Emily Candia

Patron Services Lead
Dilynn Manssor

Patron Services Reps
Emerson Clarke
Robert Coe
Danny Holmes

Concessions Manager
Cecilia Cuevas

Concessions Lead
Sean Brew

Concessions Staff
Josie Baez
Cody Bianchi
Stephen Foo
Colton Gambrel
Jared Halsell
Daisy Martinez

House Managers
Janice Fawcett
Tania Comella
Isaac Garcia
Suzan Lynnes

Jobs & Auditions

We are currently hiring for the following positions and auditioning for the show(s) below.

We hold show-specific auditions throughout the year. If you would like to join our audition mailing list, please fill out the form below. You will be sent an email whenever auditions are announced.

Sound/Video Supervisor

To view the full job description, click here.

Patron Services Representative

Cygnet Theatre in Old Town is now accepting resumes for part-time Patron Services Representatives.

Position: Patron Services Representative

Hours: 10-25 hours a week, must be available on weekends and evenings.

Pay: Starting at $17.25 an hour

Preferred Availability:

Monday thru Friday: Noon to 9pm
Saturday/Sunday: 11 am to 10pm

Ideal candidate must be available for a minimum of four shifts a week.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide theatre patrons with excellent customer service at Cygnet Theatre by assisting them in purchasing and/or picking up tickets to Cygnet Theatre events, providing information on performances and special events, and assisting other front of house departments as needed to ensure a high-quality patron experience.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide all guests a positive first impression of Cygnet Theatre by offering superior customer service.
  • Operate the computerized ticketing system and all wireless technology devices.
  • Provide information regarding Cygnet Theatre events via face-to-face, telephone and e-mail communication.
  • Provide assistance to all company members with ticket reservation needs.
  • Assist with front of house tasks as needed, including but not limited to assisting the house management team or with event set-up.
  • Assist with miscellaneous box office projects as directed.

Requirements:

  • Strong customer service skills.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Experience with the Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Ability to operate wireless technology devices (iPads, ticket scanners).
  • Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment.
  • Must be able to lift 30 lbs.

To Apply:

Please send work resumes only. NO acting resumes.
Email submissions to ecandia@cygnettheatre.com

Auditions for Stephen Sondheim's FOLLIES

Cygnet Theatre Company

Audition Call

Casting Notice For:

STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S

FOLLIES

Director: Sean Murray

Choreographer: Katie Banville

Music Director: Patrick Marion

PRODUCTION DATES:

August 4, 2025 Rehearsals begin

August 26, 2025 Tech Begins

September 9, 2025 Invited Dress

September 10, 2025 Previews begin

September 13, 2025 Opening

October 5, 2025 Closing (with possible extension to October 19, 2025)

SYNOPSIS:

This Sondheim classic takes place in a crumbling Broadway theater, now scheduled for demolition, previously home to a musical revue (based on the Ziegfeld Follies). The evening follows a reunion of the Weismann Girls who performed during the interwar period. Several of the former showgirls perform their old numbers, often accompanied by the ghosts of their younger selves.

SEEKING:

Looking for AEA and Non-Union actors for Cygnet Theatre’s upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies.

EQUITY/ NON-EQUITY CALL:

Union performers are paid the SPT-6 $605 weekly minimum.

Non-union performers are paid an hourly rate of $17.50 for rehearsals through tech.

Performances are a 4-hour minimum call.

WHEN:

Monday, March 10, 2025 from 10am – 6pm; Lunch 1:30pm – 2:30pm.

Callbacks: Monday, March 17, 2025 Time TBD

AEA MEMBERS: For an appointment please email: auditions@cygnettheatre.com with preferred time frame(s).

NON EQUITY: Appointments are only for AEA members. We will see non union actors throughout the day on a first come first serve basis. A signup sheet will be up at 9:30am.

WHERE:

Cygnet Rehearsal Space

2555 State Street Suite 104

San Diego, CA 92101

Entrance is located off of Maple Street.

Parking is residential.

PERSONNEL & VIEWING AUDITIONS:

Sean Murray, Director / Artistic Director

Katie Banville, Choreographer

Patrick Marion, Music Director / Accompanist

Craig Campbell, Producer

Allen Lucky Weaver, Casting Director

AUDITION PREPARATION:

Prepare a brief song from the show, or in the same style of the show. No longer than one minute. We are looking for strong singers that make grounded acting choices and have a strong sense of storytelling. Bring your book in case we’d like to see more. Please bring a copy of your headshot and resume.

If submitting a video, please send your audition via a Youtube / Vimeo link. *Don’t forget to set your video preferences to unlisted. We kindly ask to have your self tape submitted to auditions@cygnettheatre.com no later than Sunday- March 9th by 5:00pm PST. Dance reels are greatly appreciated, as well. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to lweaver@cygnettheatre.com.

HOUSING:

Local housing is subject to availability based on casting needs of the production.

CASTING BREAKDOWN:

NOTE: Unless specifically noted, we will be seeing actors of all races and ethnicities for all of the available roles below.

Benjamin Stone: Male, Age 50-60, Vocal Range A2 to F4; must be able to move well. Tall, Trim. Distinguished. Successful, Authoritative. A man bent on achieving success from a young age who has attained it and has begun to realize the toll it has had on his personal relationships. A man with serious “imposter syndrome.”

Buddy Plummer: Male, Age 50-60, Vocal Range C3 to F4. A handsome, charismatic man with a sad face wrinkled from years of too much smiling. Stuck in a broken marriage and has had multiple affairs. ROLE IS CAST

Max Deems: Male, Age 45-65. Must be able to move with a special lightness; half of a performing duo with his wife, Stella. They have since retired and opened a general store in Miami. Loves Life and has led a good one.

Roscoe: Male, Age 55-75. An elderly showman. ROLE IS CAST

Theodore Whitman: Male, Age 55-80, Vocal Range A2 to D4. Must be able to move well. A bright, and ‘papery’ man. Married to EMILY WHITMAN, half of a performing team, they now teach dance together.

Dimitri Weismann: Male, Age 60-80. A charming elderly showman. Staged the Follies every year between the great wars, and made stars of any girl he fancied. He is authoritative, a Ziegfeld-type. Can be a little rude, and a womanizer.

Young Ben: Male, Age to read 18-23, Vocal Range C3 to F4, must be able to dance well. A younger version of Ben, a not yet fully realized version of the older Ben we see before us today, he is driven and intelligent but not quite so distinguished, obsessed with getting ahead at all cost. A player.

Young Buddy: Male, Age to read 18-23, Vocal Range C3 to G4, must be able to dance well. A younger version of Buddy we see today. Charismatic and lively, a man who knows how to have fun. Loves Sally blindly and wants to give her the world.

Sally Durant Plummer: Female, Age 45-60, Vocal Range F3 to G5. Sweet and bubbly. Still remarkably like the girl she was thirty years ago. A former Follies girl, she married a man she didn’t love. ROLE IS CAST

Phyllis Rogers Stone: Female, African American, Age 45-60, Vocal Range F3 to E5. Stylish and intelligent. A woman who made her husband her life, the journey has hardened her and replaced the traces of life with cold sophistication and poise. ROLE IS CAST

Stella Deems: Female, Age 45-65, Vocal Range E3 to F5. A woman who moves with a special lightness; half of a performer duo with her husband, but they gave it up to open a general store in Miami. Loves life and has led a good one. ROLE IS CAST

Heidi Schiller: Female, Age 55-75, Vocal Range D4 to G5. Tall and queenly. Incredibly rich and well-known in elite social circles, she is constantly reminiscing. ROLE IS CAST

Hattie Walker: Female, Age 45-75, Vocal Range B3 to D5. An appealingly tough, no nonsense lady. A former knockout Follies girl from the earlier years of the shows. She has married several times and always to the same type: the bad boy.

Solange LaFitte: Female, Age 45-75, Vocal Range A3 to G5. A French fashionista. Very much still alive and enjoying it, she is a perfume creator and seller. Has travelled the world but loves Paris more than any other place. ROLE IS CAST

Emily Whitman: Female, Age 55-80, Vocal Range B3 to D5. A tiny, bright and papery woman. Married to Theodore Whitman, who together teach dance.

Carlotta Campion: Female, Age 45 to 55, Vocal range C4 to F5. The one-time movie star, who is in terrific shape for her age. The kind of woman who has seen everything and is proud to be standing where she is. ROLE IS CAST

Young Phyllis: Female, African-American, Age to read 18 to 23, Vocal range B3 to E5, must be a good dancer, tap a must. A younger version of Phyllis, when she was an energetic and naive Follies girl. Slightly sad and homesick. With all of the drive but none of the sophistication of adult Phyllis.

Young Sally: Female, Age to read 18-25, Vocal Range C4 to G5. A younger version of the adult Sally. She is perhaps the most similar to her adult counterpart of any of the foursome. Sweet and bubbly. Adventurous. Wants it all but may not have the patience or drive to wait for it. ROLE IS CAST

Young Heidi: Female, Age 18-30, Vocal Range E4 to A5. A younger version of Heidi we see today. Already tall and queenly. A strong romantic soprano voice is required.

Female Ensemble of 5: Age 18-25, strong dancing, tap a must. Show Girls, Why-Don’t-You-Love-Me Girls, Waitresses, Loveland Chorus. Young versions of the older Follies girls: Young Stella, Young Emily, Young Solange, and Young Carlotta.

Male Ensemble of 4: Strong dancers, tap a plus. Characters to be played from this ensemble include: Young Theodore, Young Roscoe, Kevin, Chauffeur, Loveland Chorus, TV Interviewer, Camera Man, Waiters.

Cygnet Theatre commits to be inclusive and seeks to cast a diverse group of actors within the needs of each production. We encourage performers of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion.

Auditions for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Cygnet Theatre Company

Seeking AEA & Non-Union Actors

Casting Notice For:

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

By: Christopher Durang

Director: Anthony Methvin

PRODUCTION DATES:

September 10, 2025 Rehearsals begin

September 30, 2025 Tech Begins

October 7, 2025 Invited Dress

October 8, 2025 Previews begin

October 11, 2025 Opening

October 28, 2025 Closing (with possible extension up to November 9, 2025)

SYNOPSIS:

Vanya and Sonia, two middle-aged siblings begrudgingly named after Chekhov characters, are living an uneventful life in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The days are filled with predictable routines until their movie-star sister Masha arrives, accompanied by her charming (and incredibly attractive) young lover, Spike. Suddenly, their dull existence is turned upside down as old tensions resurface, leading to a weekend of uproarious chaos, unexpected romance, and unforgettable moments. This comedic concoction filled with eccentric characters, unexpected romances, and hilarious twists, is what happens when you toss characters and themes from Chekov into a blender to make an absurd milkshake of merry mayhem.

EQUITY/ NON-EQUITY RATE:

Union performers are paid the SPT-6 $605 weekly minimum.

Non-union performers are paid an hourly rate of $17.50 for rehearsals through tech. Performances are a 4-hour minimum call.

WHEN:

Saturday – March 8, 2025 10 am – 6 pm. Lunch from 1:30-2:30 pm.

*AEA MEMBERS: For an appointment please email:

auditions@cygnettheatre.com with preferred time frame(s).

NON-EQUITY: Appointments are only for AEA members. We will see nonunion actors throughout the day on a first-come, first-serve basis. A signup sheet will be up at 9:30 am.

VIDEO: We are accepting video submissions from local AEA and Non-Union actors who are out of town or unavailable during our initial auditions. Please see the details below.

CALLBACKS: Sunday March 9th, 2025 Time TBD

WHERE:

Cygnet Rehearsal Space

2555 State Street Suite 104

San Diego, CA 92101

Entrance is located off of Maple Street.

Parking is residential.

PERSONNEL & VIEWING AUDITIONS:

Anthony Methvin, Director

Sean Murray, Artistic Director

Craig Campbell, Producing Director

Allen Lucky Weaver, Casting Director.

AUDITION PREPARATION:

Please prepare the side for the character you’d like to audition for. To request sides and script please email auditions@cygnettheatre.com.

Please bring a copy of your headshot and resume.

If submitting a video, please send your audition via a Youtube / Vimeo link. *Don’t forget to set your video preferences to unlisted. We kindly ask to have your self tape submitted to auditions@cygnettheatre.com no later than Friday – March 7, by 12:00 pm PST. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to lweaver@cygnettheatre.com.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN

Vanya- male presenting- 50’s- any race or ethnicity- Living in Bucks County, Vanya is resigned to his life, more or less, after spending his adulthood caring for his aging parents along with his adopted sister, Sonia. He is a smart and diplomatic peacemaker, but just under the surface things are coming to a boil. ROLE IS CAST

Sonia- female presenting- 50’s- any race or ethnicity- Vanya and Masha’s adopted sister. Can be insecure, is often upset by her lot in life, and deals with regrets about spending most of it taking care of her ailing parents. Neither melancholy nor manic outbursts are foreign to her, but she’s wryly funny even when she’s discontent. Perhaps most importantly, she always remains hopeful underneath it all. Must be able to do a recognizable Maggie Smith impersonation.

Masha- female presenting- 50’s- any race or ethnicity- Vanya and Sonia’s sister. She has had a successful career as a film actress, though the films she has been in can sometimes be of questionable artistic merit. She returns to the home her siblings live in, which she is paying for, natch, with her boy toy, Spike. She is living at the intersection of self-deceived and impossibly fabulous. ROLE IS CAST

Spike- male presenting- 20’s- any race or ethnicity- Masha’s hot younger boy toy. Hardcore golden retriever energy. Attractive, self-absorbed Hollywood type who is not a stranger to preening, but is also undeniably magnetic and charming. He is confident physically and comfortable showing off his fit body, including being in just his underwear for extended periods of time. Energetic, carefree, and comfortable with physical comedy.

Nina- female presenting- early 20’s- any race or ethnicity- A neighbor who is starstruck by Masha and hopes to be an actor someday. Wide-eyed ingenue who is earnest to a fault. Sweet, enthusiastic, and eager to please. Unaware of how lovely she truly is.

Cassandra- female presenting, non-binary, or gender non-conforming- any age- any race or ethnicity- An eccentric housekeeper. Unapologetically themselves, whatever that may mean, whether it be visions of the future, quasi-classical text, or moments of magic. They are a total wildcard.

Cygnet Theatre commits to be inclusive and seeks to cast a diverse group of actors within the needs of each production. We encourage performers of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion.

We Believe in
Transparency

Cygnet Theatre, as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization, annually files a Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide information to the public on the organization’s finances, public support, and activities. The IRS uses this form to evaluate the organization’s compliance with tax laws. As part of its commitment to transparency and accountability, Cygnet Theatre makes available its IRS Form 990s along with annual audited financial reports. Tax ID #57-1146474.

Contact Bill Schmidt at 619-574-0059 x114 or email bill@cygnettheatre.com if you have additional questions.

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