It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Darren Adler on July 31, 2026. Darren was a dear friend and dedicated employee of ARIEL Theatrical for more than 30 years. He brought a kind, calming presence to the “mic line” and intentionally scheduled his life so that he would be available for tech weeks and performances at ARIEL. Making time for the young casts at ARIEL was not only a priority, it was a source of joy in Darren’s life. Darren will be fondly remembered and missed by all. The Adler family has announced that a service for Darren will be held on Friday, August 7 at 10 am, 255 Alvin Drive, Salinas. All are invited.
We are excited to be “backstage” at the Salinas Rodeo again and we invite you join us as a volunteer representing ARIEL Theatrical. Go 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+ are welcome.
Every volunteer hour will be tracked and used to calculate the contribution given to ARIEL from the Salinas Rodeo Foundation. Volunteering at the Salinas Rodeo definitely puts the “FUN” in fundraising!
There are many shift options including concert and Pre-Rodeo set-up (July 10-15), Rodeo days (July 16-19), and Post-Rodeo take-down (July 20). You may sign-up for multiple shifts, and if you’d like to work with friends or family members, sign-up for the same shift and volunteer together! All details are listed on the Google sign up form that can be foundHERE. Please note – shift sign ups are due by July 7.
For specific dates, details and other important information about this opportunity, clickHERE.
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 clickHEREto access our Zeffy donation page.
We look forward to seeing you at the Rodeo, and at ARIEL!
For 25 years, ARIEL Theatrical has been a fixture on Main Street, and on April 3, our doors will be open for a “First Friday Salinas” Open House.
Take this opportunity to explore our space, peek behind the scenes, chat with our staff and board, and learn more about ARIEL programs and performances.
We’ll have sweet treats and an exclusive ticket deal for our upcoming production of Merlin’s Apprentice for our First Friday friends – while supplies last, of course. We’ll be here from 5-8 pm, or until the treats run out, so bring a friend and come say hi!
ARIEL Theatrical is excited to partner with the Sea Otter Classic Foundation for one of the biggest cycling events
in the world!
When you volunteer at the Sea Otter Classic event at Laguna Seca (April 16-19), you’ll not only help bring in financial support for ARIEL, but you’ll receive a four-day weekend pass to the event. Volunteer one shift (or as many as you’d like), and enjoy the spectacular event with free admission the rest of the weekend!
Sign up for your shift(s) on Thursday, January 15, and be sure to mark ARIEL Theatrical from the list of nonprofits so that your volunteer hours will turn into grant dollars for ARIEL. A wide variety of jobs and shifts are available so you can easily find your fit.
This Thursday, hop online, choose your job and your shift(s), and the folks at Sea Otter will give you all the information you need to be part of the action!
Get ready to roll, and we’ll see you in April at the Sea Otter Classic!
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
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.
Our friends from the California Rodeo Salinas are hosting the 2025 Clem Albertoni Cowboy Gathering on Saturday, March 29 at 6:00 pm. This is the fourth time this event is being presented by the California Rodeo in honor of the great man and cowboy poet, Clem Albertoni.
Clem, along with his wife Phylis, were the beating heart behind this event for years, helping us all grow our love for cowboy stories and western music. Clem’s talent for entertaining as a poet was legendary in the Salinas Valley as the resident Master of Ceremonies, as well as at numerous other cowboy poetry events. His skill with words were sought by those celebrating their happiest days or their saddest. He was a man who filled a room with charisma and energy, but with the rare quality of making each person feel as if he were speaking directly to them. His ability to make people laugh, smile, cry and “feel” was a gift from above.
The evening will include performances from audience favorites, Trinity Seely and Andy Nelson, and partial proceeds from the event will support ARIEL Theatrical.
Tickets and more detailed event information can be found HERE.
It’s official! The ARIEL Theatrical 2025 Season has been set!! Dates and details will be coming soon, but for now (drumroll please), here is a peek at what’s coming to the ARIEL stage:
YEE-HAW – Beginning show with two casts for twice the fun
This musical adaptation of the Emmy Award winning Saturday morning cartoon that first aired in the 1970s will take audiences back to school for the most fun they’ll ever have in class! Our community cast, ages seven and up, will sing and dance their way through History, Mathematics, Grammar, Innovation, Space Exploration and more. This blast from the past will make learning fun for all ages, so don’t miss your chance to get an education you’ll never forget! And, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, teachers get 50% off a general admission ticket with a current teacher credential/ID. Call ARIEL Theatrical for more information.
All performances take place on the following dates and times at The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main Street, Salinas, the home of ARIEL Theatrical:
Friday, May 3 at 7 pm Saturday, May 4 at 2 pm & 7 pm Thursday May 9 at 7 pm Friday May 10 at 7 pm Saturday May 11 at 2 pm & 7 pm
Tickets are available online HERE, over the phone (831-775-0976) or in the ARIEL Box Office.
ARIEL is honored to acknowledge the Sally Hughes Church Foundation as the 2024 Presenting Partner. ARIEL is also grateful to local individuals and businesses for their generous support including Season Sponsors, Aladin Properties, Taylor Farms, and Cardinale Moving and Storage, along with show sponsor, the Finkelstein Family.
