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The Community Arts Theater Society (C.A.T.S.) was established in 1994 as a non-profit theatrical organization designed for community participation in bringing high quality theater, as never before seen by a volunteer organization, to the Big Bear Valley.
Those familiar with producing musicals and plays for the stage are astounded that C.A.T.S. is able to produce such high quality productions and for the most part, this is due to the true "Community Spirit" that the Community Arts Theater Society embraces. 
Community support comes from ticket sales and Angel donations.   The souvenir programs for each event is self-supporting through participation by local businesses.

We are proud to announce that our productions are funded, in part, by a grant from The California Arts Council. All donations to C.A.T.S. are tax deductible and will be used for expenses related to major productions and workshops.
 
To further enhance your theater experience, several local merchants have offered special package deals which may include the following: Discounts on lodging, show tickets, dinner and after show deserts.

We encourage you to visit the merchant of your choice to see further details on their offerings. We also put together a listing of links to local restaraunts, hotels and B & B locations.
CATS HISTORY
The Community Arts Theater Society (C.A.T.S.) was established in...

Full details here
Gift Ideas Does someone have a birthday, or special occassion coming up?

Full details here
Purchase Tickets Online You can now purchase your show tickets online...

Full details here
CATS WAREHOUSE THEATER CATS Warehouse Theater
Full details here

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW CATS Frequently Asked Questions...
Full details here

OUR 2010 BROCHURE CATS 2010 Full-Color Brochure...
Full details here


CATS 10 Year Anniversary

Go back in time with this
Brochure (5 Page .pdf)
and review the events of the last 10 years with CATS.

Please feel free to print this for future reference.

Enjoy!

CATS 2010 Brochure
Full-Color

Feel free to print our full-color Brochure (9 Page .pdf)
of our 2010 season ~ 2.9MB.
This may take several minutes to download.

CATS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are there questions you've been dying to ask, or things you just plain wanted to know about CATS?

If so, then review this
Brochure
 and get the answers to all those questions you've been meaning to ask (5 Page .pdf)


CATS Warehouse Theater

It's Built (Phase 1) and we're on our way to completing Phase 2.
BUT - we need Your help!
Click on the following flier to get the details and learn how you may contribute.
Please
help our building fund grow.

Become a member of the CATS Marquee Club and help support the funding of our Warehouse Theater. Fill this form out today and become a member of the Club!

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE
You can now purchase your show tickets online through the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. To purchase them, click here
GIFT IDEAS
Does someone have a birthday, or special occassion coming up? Try one of our:


good for any show / any time. Get the details here.

New Board Announced
In his letter, dated October 31, 2007, CEO Russ Lowery said:

"C.A.T.S. is happy to announce that its Board of Directors has expanded to 13 members. Congratulations to Carlin Harris, Jim Weyant, Steve Combs, Gloria Meade and Joan Carlson, all of whom are new Directors. At the time of election of the "new" Board, new and additional responsibilities were assigned to each Director and will be fully explained at the next BOD meeting, which will be called soon.

The new BOD list is attached with list of the responsibilities.
Again, congratulations to the "New" Board of Directors of C.A.T.S.!"
CATS HISTORY

The Community Arts Theater Society (C.A.T.S.) was established in 1994 as a non-profit theatrical organization designed for community participation in bringing high quality theater, as never before seen by a volunteer organization, to the Big Bear Valley.

No one receives fees or monies for services. C.A.T.S. is a 501(c)3 corporation.
CATS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The C.A.T.S. Board of Directors is comprised of fifteen founding and elected members, as directed by the Corporate Bylaws.

CATS Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month.  Time & Place varies so please call for details. 

These are open meetings, and all are invited to attend.  Check the schedule with Sarge 909-585-5505.

Talk to CATS <Online Contact & Survey form>
In our on-going effort to provide quality entertainment to the Big Bear Valley, C.A.T.S. would appreciate your feedback and comments.

Board of Directors

Karen Sargent Rachels (Executive Producer, Production Director), First Vice-Chair.
30 years experience as a professional Broadway and television performer, Associate Producer, and Choreographer. "Retired" owner of Big Bear real estate franchise.
Joanne Trunick McMaster (Tech Director; Set & Lighting Design), Second Vice-Chair.
Professor Emeritus of Scenic Design, Design Faculty, Department of Theater, Film, and Television, UCLA. Currently on faculty, Theater Arts,
San Bernardino Valley College.
Sharon Hendricks, Assistant to the Secretary.
Sharon and her kids have been with CATS for several years.  She has worked backstage as well as in the booth for many shows.
Donna Fisch (Board Financial Advisor; Asst.To Producers, Audio Director), Secretary.
Donna has been a volunteer member of CATS for several years and has participated behind-the-scenes in countless CATS productions and special CATS concerts & events. She is currently employed at the Baldwin Lane Elementary School as a Librarian Aide.
Jean Schiesser (Founding Board Member; Music Supervisor), Director. Retired Music and Choral Director, 40 years.
Karen Bergmann (Asst.To Set Designer, Angel & Building Fund Advisor), Director.
Set Painter, Lighting Assistant, and Public Relations for C.A.T.S. with over 14 years experience with the organization. Karen joined the CATS Family in 1996 and has been involved in every show since.
Priscilla Anderson (Costume Designer), Director.
Moved to Big Bear from Del Mar in 1999 and build a new home near the PAC so it seemed natural that she would get involved sooner or later. She has a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and a Master's degree in Education. She taught elementary school for 12 years as her 2 children grew up. She then worked in the business world developing training materials as an independent consultant before moving to Big Bear. She volunteered as a seamstress in the Fall of 2001 for "My Fair Lady" and became Costume Designer in 2003. She and her husband have 2 children and 5 grandchildren. She is a porcelain doll maker & teacher and enjoys crafts, golf, camping, and square dancing.
John Wells, Audio Director and SFX Director.
John Wells has appeared in CATS productions of Inherit The Wind, Lion In Winter, Oklahoma!, Oliver, Funny Thing/Forum and A Christmas Carol among others.    John is also the morning person on Channel 6's Good Day Big Bear.
Jim Weyant (Legal Advisor, City Liaison), Director.
After a thirty-two year municipal police career in Los Angeles County, Jim served an additional six years as a deputy district attorney for the County of L.A. He was actively involved in community theater as a young fellow and, since moving to Big Bear, has been with CATS for 4 years
Steve Combs (Production Financial & Budget Advisor), Director.
Steve has a degree in Theatre with a vocal music and dance minor. For CATS he has appeared in Carousel, Sound of Music, A Christmas Carol, and Lion in Winter. Prior to Big Bear, Steve appeared in a number of theater productions.
Carlin Harris (Asst.To Tech Director; Production Technical Coordinator), Director.
Carlin has lived in Big Bear for over 30 years. She has been volunteering backstage in CATS since 1998. She has also been a children's wrangler, props manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Production Stage Manager and a Revolve Engineer in over twenty CATS productions.
Gloria Meade (Public Relations & Fund Raiser Advisor), Director.
Gloria is well known in Big Bear as the greatest of all Volunteers, having been awarded Volunteer of The Year in Big Bear Valley for 2007!
Bill Ferguson, Treasurer.
Bill has been on stage as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music, as well as a lead in Senior Class, Oklahoma! and The Music Man.  He is very active in the construction of sets and props.  Bill designs many 
of our special stage effects, drawing on his past experience as a Disney "Imagineer".
John Grandi, Director-At-Large (non voting).
30 years experience as Sales Consultant, Motivational Speaker, and retired President of Top-of-the-World Marketing, Inc.  Professional musician, journalist, and emcee.
Committee Chairs

PRODUCTION DIRECTORS

  • Karen Sargent Rachels

Assistant To Producer/Director

  • Donna Fisch

Assistant To Set Designer, Donated Funds Chairperson

  • Karen Bergmann
MUSIC AND CHORAL DIRECTOR --

SET CONSTRUCTION -- Dennis Brown

CONCESSIONS & MERCHANDISING -- Jan Nissen

STAGE AUDIO DIRECTORS -- John Wells, Donna Fisch, Mike Brunner

CATS MAILING LIST -- Bill Ferguson

WEB MASTER -- Darrell Gardner

USHERS -- Jim Lyon
CATS VOLUNTEERS

CATS Community participation means involvement in the process of creating a complete stage production, which provides an opportunity for members of our community, men, women, children, and especially families, to work together in a positive and creative experience as expressed through the many disciplines of theater art.

CATS participation includes; Directors, Board of Directors, Actors, and Technical Crew all-volunteering their time, energy and experience for the love of the arts.

Just some of our
MANY
volunteers!








CATS CONTACT INFORMATION









Email Address
bigbeartheater@earthlink.net

Mailing Address
PO Box 400,
Big Bear City, CA 92314
Important Phone Numbers
Phone Fax
(909) 585-5505
(909) 585-4260