Founders Theatre (formerly the Golden Bough Theatre)
290 seats · Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde Street
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Bertie Bialek Elliott, PacRep is proud to name our new auditorium the Founders Theatre, chosen by Bertie in tribute to the bohemian spirit of the founders of PacRep and of the historic Golden Bough Playhouse.
The 290-seat Founders Theatre is the centerpiece of the Golden Bough, home to full-scale musicals, larger classical and contemporary productions, concerts and film screenings. The second phase of renovation, completed in 2024, kept the historic facade while completely redoing the audience seating, restrooms, kitchenette and control booth, and adding a second lobby and an accessible restroom.
Did you know? A century of theatre on Monte Verde Street
- 1906–1907
The "bohemians" arrive in Carmel and form the Carmel Club of Arts and Crafts. In 1907 the club builds the Arts and Crafts Hall, a small clubhouse on Casanova Street on the site of today's Circle Theatre. Poets and authors such as George Sterling and Mary Austin perform in the town's first theatre and cultural center.
- 1924
Los Angeles attorney Ted Kuster builds the Theatre of the Golden Bough on Ocean Avenue at Monte Verde Street. The San Francisco Examiner calls it "the loveliest and best-equipped theatre of its size in America." The same year the Arts and Crafts Club opens a second theatre on its Monte Verde Street frontage.
- 1930
As the Great Depression deepens, Kuster buys both Arts and Crafts buildings, renames the main hall the Studio Theatre of the Golden Bough, moves live performance there and leases the Ocean Avenue theatre to a movie chain.
- 1935
After a performance of the comedy By Candlelight, the Ocean Avenue Theatre of the Golden Bough is destroyed by a mysterious fire. Kuster upgrades the Monte Verde theatre as the Filmarte, the first "art house" between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- 1940
Kuster renames the Monte Verde building the Golden Bough Playhouse, presenting plays and American and foreign films year-round.
- 1949
In a dramatic coincidence, the playhouse burns to the ground on May 21, following a revival of By Candlelight!
- 1952
Backed by nearly 400 stockholders, Kuster reopens the Golden Bough with a 332-seat proscenium theatre on Monte Verde and the 125-seat theatre-in-the-round Circle Theatre on Casanova.
- 1961–1992
After Kuster's death the main auditorium becomes a cinema; the Golden Bough Players lease the Circle until 1972, after which it sits unused, gathering dust and cobwebs.
- 1993–1994
With the property about to be sold for four house lots, founder Stephen Moorer and development director Dan Gotch lead the "Save the Golden Bough" campaign. Community, foundation and municipal support raise $600,000, and on September 22, 1994, the Golden Bough reopens with Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado.
- 1995
PacRep opens its first full season in its new home with Death of a Salesman in the Golden Bough Theatre and La Bête in the Circle Theatre, both directed by Stephen Moorer.
- 2000
PacRep pays off its mortgage on the historic Golden Bough Playhouse.
- 2011
The first phase of renovation adds computerized revolving stages and state-of-the-art projection.
- 2016
A solar power system is installed, eliminating PacRep's carbon footprint.
- 2018
The Phase 2 campaign is announced with a $2.3 million lead gift from local philanthropist Bertie Bialek Elliott.
- 2021–2024
Phase 2 transforms the main auditorium, public areas, accessibility and lighting. The newly named Founders Theatre reopens in September 2024 with the Broadway comedy POTUS.
Under the artistic direction of Stephen Moorer, PacRep's first years at the Golden Bough brought accolades from critics and audiences alike, and established the company as the premier theatre company of the Central Coast. The Golden Bough stage also serves many community arts groups, including the Carmel International Film Festival, the Monterey Opera Association, the Monterey Symphony, Dance Kids, Inc. and the Carmel Ballet Academy.
Seating chart
Directions
From Highway 1: take the Ocean Avenue exit and drive down Ocean Avenue through downtown Carmel. Turn left on Monte Verde Street (the 7th stop sign from the highway) and continue 3 blocks. The Golden Bough Playhouse is on the west side of Monte Verde Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues.