If you have ever thought to yourself, “Wow, ARIEL does really great work…I hope they are around forever,” now is your chance to show your support! Donations of ANY SIZE are needed to help ARIEL continue to provide our mission-focused programs for young people.
You can make a difference by donating through the annual Monterey County Gives! campaign. It’s easy, secure, and your donation will GROW with matching funds from the Community Foundation for Monterey County. The only catch is that you have to make it happen before midnight on December 31st. It only takes about two minutes to join our “Giving Team” through the link on the Monterey County Gives! website here (click on the photo below):
Once you are on the ARIEL landing page on the MC Gives! site, type in the amount you wish to donate in the open field and click the red “DONATE NOW” button and follow the prompts. When you do, we’ll add your name to the list below. Thanks to everyone who is already on the ARIEL “Giving Team” (in chronological order as of 12/27/2025):
Tamara Harris
ARIEL Theatrical Board of Trustees
James Goulart & Carolanne Moreno
David & Heather Kirk
Diane & Carrie Creasy
Mike & Lisa McGirr
Nicholas M. Pasculli
Lanney Hulse in Memory of Barney Hulse
Stephen Hooper
Susan B. Morrow Legacy Foundation
Alex Jenner
John & Heather Higginbotham
Robin Denga
Lisa & Steve Anderson
Douglas Gutshall
Sarah Elias
Diana Snell
John Lavorato
Angela Lavorato
Don & Carole King
Jamie & Ray Del Real
Selena & Adam Herrin
Sylvia Shih
Haide & Cesar Gonzalez
Paul Silva
Dexter Farm
Paula Wilson
Philip & Heidi Daunt
Joseph & Alicia Ashby
Robert & Elizabeth Schaefer
Jim & Lynda Campbell
Linda Stoner
Natalie & Seth Gibson
Wend Grainger
Carol Rodrigues
Jeanne & Daniel Turner
David & Janis Shipley
Tobi & Mike Marcus
Lucas Rose
Alanna & David Mack
Brianda Palacios
Brian Higginbotham
Olga & Ediberto Cruz Cruz
Cath Tendler & Jan Valencia in Honor of Doug Tendler
Diane & Jeff McGirr
Mary Pommerich
Christopher & Patricia Forest
Monika Scott
Teri Breschini
Linda Coyne & Bill Deeb
Will you be next on our list???
To honor and memorialize the decades-long impact of beloved ARIEL teacher and choreographer, Diane Chatwin, the Rudi Schulte Family Foundation and Shelley Schulte presented ARIEL with a $10,000 check to fund a much-needed lighting project. With the guidance of lighting specialists and contractors, new equipment was purchased and permanent fixtures were installed to light areas of the stage that previously lacked full coverage. This lighting upgrade was timed to be unveiled during the Christmas season, also known as the “season of lights.” This beautiful gift initiated by Diane’s daughter, Shelley Schulte, and funded by the Rudi Schulte Family Foundation, will allow Diane’s influence and light to brighten the world of the children who step onto the stage at ARIEL for many, many years to come. Founder and Artistic Director, Gail Higginbotham, lost not only her creative partner, but her long-time friend. She shared, “Diane was an integral part of ARIEL from its inception 40 years ago. It is impossible to measure the influence for good that she had upon thousands of children, young and old. The light, warmth, and generosity of spirit which she radiated touched everyone in her presence. We miss her every day.”
Donations to ARIEL in memory of Diane Chatwin are gratefully accepted and can be made securely online here.
Located in the beautifully renovated Oldtown neighborhood of Salinas, ARIEL Theatrical provides opportunities for children to explore the stage and learn valuable lessons about Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership – A-R-I-E-L. ARIEL is a safe and nurturing gathering place for young people where engaging programs and family-friendly entertainment take center stage.
Gather your family and friends and make plans to catch A Charlie Brown Christmas this December at ARIEL Theatrical. Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang share their usual wit and wisdom as they work together to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Your favorite Charles Schulz characters can’t wait to see you! Make new memories this Christmas and bask in the warmth of nostalgia and holiday cheer at ARIEL Theatrical. This production is graciously supported by our 2025 Presenting Partner, the Sally Hughes Church Foundation.
Performances: December 5, 6, 11, 12 & 13, at 7 pm on all dates with additional 2 pm shows on Saturdays
Location: The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre – Home of ARIEL Theatrical, 320 Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
Tickets: Adults – $12, Students/Seniors/Military – $11, Children 3-12 – $10, Under age 3 – FREE
Tickets may be purchased online (www.arieltheatrical.org), over the phone (831-775-0976), and at the ARIEL box office (advance purchase or at the door until sold out).
Located in the beautifully renovated Oldtown neighborhood of Salinas, ARIEL Theatrical provides opportunities for children to explore the stage and learn valuable lessons about Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership – A-R-I-E-L. ARIEL is a safe and nurturing gathering place for young people where engaging programs and family-friendly entertainment take center stage.
ARIEL is honored to acknowledge the Sally Hughes Church Foundation as the 2025 Presenting Partner. ARIEL is also grateful to local individuals and businesses for their generous support, including 2025 Season Sponsors, Taylor Farms, Cardinale Moving & Storage, and Aladin Properties, and our show sponsors, Hastie Financial Group and Pathfinder Content Marketing.
For more information, visit ARIEL in the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main Street, online at www.arieltheatrical.org or call 831-775-0976.
We’re so excited for 2026!!!
Additional program details can be found by clicking HERE.
The first wave of registration will open on Monday, September 22.
Stay tuned for more details!
Adapted from Norton Juster’s beloved children’s book, this riveting musical will take audiences on an unforgettable adventure.
ARIEL summer camp performers will open the door to the distant Land of Wisdom where a young boy, Milo and his time-keeping dog Tock, meet Princesses Rhyme and Reason, and an array of other quirky characters. Working together to bring peace to feuding kings, they discover and learn to appreciate the purpose that lies behind the quest for all knowledge.
With wonderful word-play and quizzically creative calculations, The Phantom Tollbooth TYA will inspire audiences to approach learning with curiosity, enthusiasm and joy.
Click HERE for performance details and our full schedule of upcoming productions.
Questions? Call us at 831-775-0976.
See you at ARIEL!
Thank you for taking a few minutes to write in “ARIEL Theatrical” as your nominee for the “Best Local Theater Company” in the Monterey County Weekly annual contest.
Our commitment to the community by providing character-building theatre programs for youth and family-friendly performances makes ARIEL Theatrical a slam-dunk for the top prize!
Thank you for letting the world know that you are an ARIEL fan!
Click the button below to be directed to the Monterey County Weekly nomination page.
We are excited to be “backstage” at the Salinas Rodeo again this year, and we invite you to participate as a Rodeo volunteer representing ARIEL Theatrical as part of our summer fundraiser. This opportunity will put you behind-the-scenes at one of the largest annual events in Monterey County as you work with friends and neighbors setting up and serving in the VIP Hospitality Tent. Volunteers ages 14 and up are welcome.
Fundraising couldn’t be easier! All hours worked by ARIEL volunteers will be tracked to calculate the contribution amount that will be given to ARIEL from the Salinas Rodeo Foundation. This fantastic opportunity is only possible with help from our amazing community – YOU!
There are many shift options including Pre-Rodeo (July 12-16), Rodeo (July 17-20), and Post-Rodeo (July 21). You are welcome to sign up for multiple shifts, and organizing a group of friends and family to volunteer for the same shift is highly encouraged! All details are listed on the Google sign up form that can be found HERE. Please note – shift sign ups are due by July 11.
We hope you’ll consider joining this fundraising effort that will directly benefit ARIEL Theatrical programs for youth. If you are unable to volunteer at this time but would like to make a direct donation to ARIEL, please click HERE to access our Zeffy donation page.
We look forward to seeing you at the Rodeo, and at ARIEL!
