For over a quarter of a century, B Street Theatre has been a cornerstone of Sacramento’s arts and culture scene, captivating audiences of all ages. Originating in 1986 as Theatre for Children, Inc., under the vision of actor Timothy Busfield, the organization initially focused on bringing the magic of live performance directly to young audiences through a touring theatre company. Today, B Street Theatre has evolved into a prominent non-profit arts venue and performance company known as The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for Performing Arts, or simply The Sofia. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Buck Busfield, The Sofia stands as a testament to B Street Theatre’s enduring commitment to enriching the Sacramento community.
Nestled in the vibrant Midtown district, The Sofia is a true jewel, hosting a diverse array of theatrical experiences. Within its walls, the Mike & Bobby Voris Theatre stages B Street’s signature Theatre For Grown-ups productions, offering engaging and thought-provoking performances for adult audiences. Simultaneously, the Sutter Theatre provides a welcoming space for Family-Friendly Theatre productions, ensuring that the joy of theatre is accessible to even the youngest members of the community. Beyond B Street Theatre’s own productions, The Sofia serves as Sacramento’s premier non-profit arts venue, extending its stage to touring national and international musicians, the esteemed Sacramento Ballet, and a variety of other local non-profit arts organizations, fostering a collaborative and thriving arts ecosystem.
The Sofia boasts two primary performance spaces: the Mike & Bobby Voris Theatre, with a comfortable capacity of 250, and the larger Sutter Theatre, accommodating up to 372 patrons. Adding to its versatility, The Sofia also features three rehearsal galleries, one of which has been transformed into an intimate third performance space known as Upstairs at the Sofia. This unique venue showcases smaller, curated productions by the B Street Acting Company, offering an up-close and personal theatre experience for up to 80 seated guests. Despite its significant growth and expansion, B Street Theatre remains deeply rooted in its original mission of arts education, continuing its impactful work through the B Street Theatre School Tour, formerly known as Fantasy Theatre.
Performing an impressive 12 times per week for 38 weeks each year, the School Tour has garnered widespread acclaim from media outlets, educators, and, most importantly, the millions of California children who have experienced its performances. To date, an estimated 3.6 million children across California, with approximately 200,000 annually, have been introduced to the wonders of live theatre through this program. Building on this commitment, the Family-Friendly productions series was launched in 2002, presenting a carefully curated four-show season of professional theatre designed for school field trips during the week and accessible to the general public on weekends. For countless children in the region, The B Street Theatre School Tour and Family-Friendly Field Trips serve as their very first, and often only, exposure to the transformative power of live theatre, nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
The journey to The Sofia began in 2016 when B Street Theatre broke ground on Capitol Avenue after more than a decade of dedicated fundraising efforts. The land for this ambitious project was generously donated by Sutter Hospital, underscoring the community’s belief in B Street Theatre’s mission. In 2018, B Street Theatre proudly moved into its brand new, state-of-the-art complex, The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for Performing Arts, marking a new chapter in its rich history and solidifying its position as a vital cultural asset in Sacramento.
For more information or to experience the magic of B Street Theatre for yourself, please visit:
B STREET THEATRE
2700 CAPITAL AVE
SACRAMENTO, CA 95816
(916) 443-5300
bstreettheatre.org
