This year marks a major milestone for ARIEL Theatrical – 25 years in the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre on Main Street in Oldtown Salinas. In the early days, for 15 years prior to having a permanent home, ARIEL utilized driveways, garages, barns, homes, churches, schools, and warehouses, as rehearsal spaces. Performances were scattered around Salinas in a variety of venues, and Sherwood Hall shows, attended by tens of thousands of school children, became the main event each year.
Despite these achievements, ARIEL had nowhere to call home.
After an “all-hands-on-deck” capital fundraising campaign and years of planning and construction, ARIEL could now call the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre on Main Street “home.” This new reality was wonderful and exciting, but not without challenge. Earthquake retrofits, electrical and plumbing upgrades, audience seating, lighting and sound equipment, and hundreds of other projects kept the early years in the building very busy – and expensive. When one problem was solved, another would not be far behind. Most notably, in 2015 a massive fire in the neighboring building put the theatre in extreme peril and caused significant damage. In 2020, the COVID pandemic closed theatre doors around the world. ARIEL continued to endure.
What began as an idea discussed decades ago at founder Gail Higginbotham’s kitchen table, stands today as a welcoming and vibrant community gathering place where engaging programs and family-friendly entertainment are available to all.
At ARIEL, young people are encouraged to make choices that will help them achieve success on stage, and more importantly, in their own lives.
Annually, approximately 500 kids perform at ARIEL, and roughly 10,000 audience members attend shows. ARIEL has seen growth and change over the years, but continues to stand firmly on its guiding foundational principles: Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership – A-R-I-E-L. Here’s to the next 25 years on Main Street!
ARIEL is honored to acknowledge the Sally Hughes Church Foundation as the 2026 Presenting Partner. ARIEL is also grateful to local individuals and businesses for their generous support, including the 2026 Season Sponsors Taylor Farms, Hastie Financial Group, Cardinale Moving & Storage, and Aladin Properties.
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.
ARIEL is honored to acknowledge the Sally Hughes Church Foundation as the 2026 Presenting Partner. ARIEL is also grateful to local individuals and businesses for their generous support, including 2026 Season Sponsors, Taylor Farms, Hastie Financial Group, Cardinale Moving & Storage, and Aladin Properties.
A special thank you to the Arts Council for Monterey County
for their support for this program.
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.
