About Us

ARIEL Theatrical is committed to helping young people learn to lead principle-centered lives.

ARIEL is a nonprofit organization that offers year-round programs in theatre arts for children and adolescents.

At ARIEL, we feel our finest productions are not our plays but the responsible young people who come together in a positive, collaborative spirit to learn, perform and share experiences that they will carry with them for a lifetime.

More than 30 years ago, Gail Higginbotham, Founder of ARIEL Theatrical Inc., made a commitment to the children of Monterey County to create a place for them to learn and grow. While the venue is theatrical, ARIEL’s mission has always encompassed more – to inspire young people to understand that personal integrity, respect for others and an acceptance of responsibility for choices made are the keys to building a successful life.

Enriching children’s lives through their participation in enacting stories on stage that have purpose, integrity and a positive moral message allows each child to become part of something larger than himself and leads to discussions on character, responsibility and appropriate choices. At ARIEL, young people learn to be their best and do their best, on stage and in life.

Throughout ARIEL’s history, key principles have been taught, modeled and encouraged from the top down. Today, ARIEL continues to demonstrate that practicing Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership will help young people to become a positive force in their families, their schools, their communities and in the world.