The 1871 will operate a multi-functional facility that produces theater, hosts professional and local artists, creates educational opportunities, and brings people together through the art of storytelling.
A Vibrant & Active Hub for the Performing Arts in Chico.
In a town full of thriving community theater, the 1871 Theater will provide a vibrant and active space for small professional productions in downtown Chico. Our facility will be designed to host exceptional performances—with local professionals and the larger theater community in mind—and will be equipped for a range of uses from rehearsal space to international touring shows. The future home of the 1871 Theater will be in the historic Collier Building in downtown Chico. The theater takes its name from the year the building was constructed.
Professional Partners
The 1871 Theater will seek partnerships with professional theatre organizations, including Legacy Stage, to provide opportunities to engage with working artists and present professional productions.
Hosting Professional Tours
We hope to bring smaller-scale professional performing arts productions to Butte County and create moments for the community to come together to experience exceptional storytelling.
Community Rentals
Rentals for concerts, dance, guest productions, educational events, and private functions.
A Vibrant & Active Hub for the Performing Arts in Chico.
In a town full of thriving community theater, the 1871 Theater will provide a vibrant and active space for small professional productions in downtown Chico. Our facility will be designed to host exceptional performances—with local professionals and the larger theater community in mind—and will be equipped for a range of uses from rehearsal space to international touring shows. The future home of the 1871 Theater will be in the historic Collier Building in downtown Chico. The theater takes its name from the year the building was constructed.
Professional Partners
The 1871 Theater will seek partnerships with professional theatre organizations, including Legacy Stage, to provide opportunities to engage with working artists and present professional productions.
Hosting Professional Tours
We hope to bring smaller-scale professional performing arts productions to Butte County and create moments for the community to come together to experience exceptional storytelling.
Community Rentals
Rentals for concerts, dance, guest productions, educational events, and private functions.
A Vibrant & Active Hub for the Performing Arts in Chico.
In a town full of thriving community theater, the 1871 Theater will provide a vibrant and active space for small professional productions in downtown Chico. Our facility will be designed to host exceptional performances—with local professionals and the larger theater community in mind—and will be equipped for a range of uses from rehearsal space to international touring shows. The future home of the 1871 Theater will be in the historic Collier Building in downtown Chico. The theater takes its name from the year the building was constructed.
Professional Partners
The 1871 Theater will seek partnerships with professional theatre organizations, including Legacy Stage, to provide opportunities to engage with working artists and present professional productions.
Hosting Professional Tours
We hope to bring smaller-scale professional performing arts productions to Butte County and create moments for the community to come together to experience exceptional storytelling.
Community Rentals
Rentals for concerts, dance, guest productions, educational events, and private functions.
A Vibrant & Active Hub for the Performing Arts in Chico.
In a town full of thriving community theater, the 1871 Theater will provide a vibrant and active space for small professional productions in downtown Chico. Our facility will be designed to host exceptional performances—with local professionals and the larger theater community in mind—and will be equipped for a range of uses from rehearsal space to international touring shows. The future home of the 1871 Theater will be in the historic Collier Building in downtown Chico. The theater takes its name from the year the building was constructed.
Professional Partners
The 1871 Theater will seek partnerships with professional theatre organizations, including Legacy Stage, to provide opportunities to engage with working artists and present professional productions.
Hosting Professional Tours
We hope to bring smaller-scale professional performing arts productions to Butte County and create moments for the community to come together to experience exceptional storytelling.
Community Rentals
Rentals for concerts, dance, guest productions, educational events, and private functions.
During Restoration & Construction
During Restoration & Construction
During Restoration & Construction
We are planning to implement as much programming as we can to introduce Chico to the 1871 Theatre.
We are planning to implement as much programming as we can to introduce Chico to the 1871 Theatre.
We are planning to implement as much programming as we can to introduce Chico to the 1871 Theatre.
1871 THEATER's PRIMARY GOALS:
HONOR
THE PAST
CELEBRATE
THE PRESENT
AMPLIFY
THE PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY
BUILD
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
A New Home for the Performing Arts
Upon completion, the 1871 Theatre will be a bustling performing arts hub, with two performance venues, rehearsal and classroom space, and a full scenic and costume shop.
Future Features of the Physical Space
Future Features of the Physical Space
The Entrance
The Entrance
There will be a box office and lobby entrance on Broadway in Downtown Chico.
There will be a box office and lobby entrance on Broadway in Downtown Chico.
Ground Level
Ground Level
Scenic and costume shops towards the back of the former Collier’s hardware space
Scenic and costume shops towards the back of the former Collier’s hardware space
The 2nd Level
The 2nd Level
A Black Box rehearsal and performance space, along with a green room and dressing rooms
A Black Box rehearsal and performance space, along with a green room and dressing rooms
The 3rd Floor
The 3rd Floor
A theatre capable of producing and hosting a variety of professional productions located in the former Arroyo Room space, seating up to approximately 200 patrons.
A theatre capable of producing and hosting a variety of professional productions located in the former Arroyo Room space, seating up to approximately 200 patrons.
Office Spaces
Office Spaces
The 1871 Theater will have a variety of office space sprinkled around the building.
The 1871 Theater will have a variety of office space sprinkled around the building.
Classroom Spaces
Classroom Spaces
Accommodating all sorts of activities, from meetings to dance to everything in between
Accommodating all sorts of activities, from meetings to dance to everything in between
A Year of Introduction, Connection, & Community
In our inaugural season over the next year, we will begin putting on producing, envisioning, and making partnerships in and around our community. We look forward to meeting you and connecting with our community through camps, shows festivals and pop-up performances at local events.
Fringe Fest
Fall 2026
Spring Break Camp
Spring 2027
The ultimate theatre camp comes to Chico! Experience theatre games, improvisation techniques, learn about acting, design, and technical theatre all in one exciting week of camp. 1st through 8th graders
Sign Up Info To Come
Mainstage Production: Every Brilliant Thing
March 2027
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Location and Casting TBD
Sign Up Info To Come
Summer Camp
June 2027
Students 1st-3rd grade will have the chance to enroll in a week-long theatre camp. Older students in grades 4th through 8th will be able to sign up for a 3-week-long camp, rehearsing Emma! A Pop Musical JV Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling musical adaptation of Emma features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry, now condensed to one hour of fun-filled romantic comedy.
Sign Up Info To Come
Fringe Fest
Fall 2026
Fringe Fest
Fall 2026
Spring Break Camp
Spring 2027
The ultimate theatre camp comes to Chico! Experience theatre games, improvisation techniques, learn about acting, design, and technical theatre all in one exciting week of camp. 1st through 8th graders
Sign Up Info To Come
Spring Break Camp
Spring 2027
The ultimate theatre camp comes to Chico! Experience theatre games, improvisation techniques, learn about acting, design, and technical theatre all in one exciting week of camp. 1st through 8th graders
Sign Up Info To Come
Mainstage Production: Every Brilliant Thing
March 2027
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Location and Casting TBD
Sign Up Info To Come
Mainstage Production: Every Brilliant Thing
March 2027
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Location and Casting TBD
Sign Up Info To Come
Summer Camp
June 2027
Students 1st-3rd grade will have the chance to enroll in a week-long theatre camp. Older students in grades 4th through 8th will be able to sign up for a 3-week-long camp, rehearsing Emma! A Pop Musical JV Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling musical adaptation of Emma features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry, now condensed to one hour of fun-filled romantic comedy.
Sign Up Info To Come
Summer Camp
June 2027
Students 1st-3rd grade will have the chance to enroll in a week-long theatre camp. Older students in grades 4th through 8th will be able to sign up for a 3-week-long camp, rehearsing Emma! A Pop Musical JV Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling musical adaptation of Emma features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry, now condensed to one hour of fun-filled romantic comedy.
Sign Up Info To Come
Fringe Fest
Fall 2026
Fringe Fest
Fall 2026
Spring Break Camp
Spring 2027
The ultimate theatre camp comes to Chico! Experience theatre games, improvisation techniques, learn about acting, design, and technical theatre all in one exciting week of camp. 1st through 8th graders
Sign Up Info To Come
Spring Break Camp
Spring 2027
The ultimate theatre camp comes to Chico! Experience theatre games, improvisation techniques, learn about acting, design, and technical theatre all in one exciting week of camp. 1st through 8th graders
Sign Up Info To Come
Mainstage Production: Every Brilliant Thing
March 2027
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Location and Casting TBD
Sign Up Info To Come
Mainstage Production: Every Brilliant Thing
March 2027
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Location and Casting TBD
Sign Up Info To Come
Summer Camp
June 2027
Students 1st-3rd grade will have the chance to enroll in a week-long theatre camp. Older students in grades 4th through 8th will be able to sign up for a 3-week-long camp, rehearsing Emma! A Pop Musical JV Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling musical adaptation of Emma features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry, now condensed to one hour of fun-filled romantic comedy.
Sign Up Info To Come
Summer Camp
June 2027
Students 1st-3rd grade will have the chance to enroll in a week-long theatre camp. Older students in grades 4th through 8th will be able to sign up for a 3-week-long camp, rehearsing Emma! A Pop Musical JV Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling musical adaptation of Emma features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry, now condensed to one hour of fun-filled romantic comedy.
Sign Up Info To Come
Fringe Fest
Fall 2026
Fringe Fest
Fall 2026
Spring Break Camp
Spring 2027
The ultimate theatre camp comes to Chico! Experience theatre games, improvisation techniques, learn about acting, design, and technical theatre all in one exciting week of camp. 1st through 8th graders
Sign Up Info To Come
Spring Break Camp
Spring 2027
The ultimate theatre camp comes to Chico! Experience theatre games, improvisation techniques, learn about acting, design, and technical theatre all in one exciting week of camp. 1st through 8th graders
Sign Up Info To Come
Mainstage Production: Every Brilliant Thing
March 2027
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Location and Casting TBD
Sign Up Info To Come
Mainstage Production: Every Brilliant Thing
March 2027
by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Location and Casting TBD
Sign Up Info To Come
Summer Camp
June 2027
Students 1st-3rd grade will have the chance to enroll in a week-long theatre camp. Older students in grades 4th through 8th will be able to sign up for a 3-week-long camp, rehearsing Emma! A Pop Musical JV Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling musical adaptation of Emma features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry, now condensed to one hour of fun-filled romantic comedy.
Sign Up Info To Come
Summer Camp
June 2027
Students 1st-3rd grade will have the chance to enroll in a week-long theatre camp. Older students in grades 4th through 8th will be able to sign up for a 3-week-long camp, rehearsing Emma! A Pop Musical JV Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this sparkling musical adaptation of Emma features the hit songs of legendary girl groups and iconic female singers from The Supremes to Katy Perry, now condensed to one hour of fun-filled romantic comedy.
Sign Up Info To Come
Photo by: Ashley Carlascio Photography.
Who is behind the project?
Erin Horst is the visionary behind the project. With the support of the Lupine Legacy Foundation this project has begun to take shape.
What part of the process is the project in right now?
We are currently in the design and planning part of the process.
What is the estimated start of construction, and when will the building be open?
The timeline is still evolving, and we look forward to sharing dates as soon!
Who is behind the project?
Erin Horst is the visionary behind the project. With the support of the Lupine Legacy Foundation this project has begun to take shape.
What part of the process is the project in right now?
We are currently in the design and planning part of the process.
What is the estimated start of construction, and when will the building be open?
The timeline is still evolving, and we look forward to sharing dates as soon!
Who is behind the project?
Erin Horst is the visionary behind the project. With the support of the Lupine Legacy Foundation this project has begun to take shape.
What part of the process is the project in right now?
We are currently in the design and planning part of the process.
What is the estimated start of construction, and when will the building be open?
The timeline is still evolving, and we look forward to sharing dates as soon!
