Sierra Rep Guest Artist Housing

Welcome to Sonora, California!

Sierra Repertory Theatre is located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills in Sonora, California. The climate is warm (95-110⁰) in the summer with low humidity and cold (30-40⁰) and wet in the winter with the rare snowstorm down at the theatre’s elevation.  The Company offices, costume shop, main scene shop and primary box office is located at the East Sonora theatre, while the Historic Fallon House Theatre is located approximately 5 miles north of Sonora in the small town of Columbia.

While you are rehearsing and working here you will most likely be living with members of the community who graciously offer space in their home for your use. Housing options range from Sierra Rep’s own funky 2-bedroom trailer to private rooms and private or semi-private baths in patron’s homes.  There are many factors to consider with housing and we will do our best to match you up with the best possible hosts prior to your arrival. You will be provided with maps to your host’s home when you arrive in Sonora, and many times we are available to accompany you to their home as some of our mountain locations can be difficult to find for out-of-towners.

You can help!

Fill out the short form below and return it with your contract. The following confidential information will be used to try to match you with hosts with compatible lifestyles. We understand that living conditions can have direct effects upon your happiness and performance, so please be honest with your answers. Feel free to send an email to lsweetland@sierrarep.org if you have any questions.

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions we hope will familiarize you with our area and accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I arrive?

We suggest you arrive in East Sonora the day before your first rehearsal so you get a chance to familiarize yourself with the area and hit the grocery stores before you start your long hours. If you are driving yourself, please arrive no later than 6:00 PM. -directions are listed on our website. To arrive much later is rude to the host, and also makes it difficult to navigate the mountain roads.

Do I need to bring bed sheets and towels?

No, the housing hosts provide linens for you. However, if you have a favorite pillow or something similar you should consider bringing it.

I’m planning to have family/friends visit during the run, is that ok?

Please check with your host family before assuming that your guests can stay with you. There are a number of inexpensive hotels in the area and you may want to consider making reservations at one of them in consideration of your hosts.

Can I bring my pet?

In general, we ask that you find other arrangements for your pets during your run here in Sonora. Since our housing is so generously donated by community members, we feel it is a bit forward of us to ask if they could also host an animal. Plus, it limits many housing options due to allergies.

Will I have access to the Internet?

Yes. At the East Sonora location the theatre offers wireless internet around the offices and around the box office. If you do not have a laptop computer, the East Sonora offices also offer access to a computer and printer. Many of the hosts have internet access or DSL available. If this is of particular importance to you, please list as a concern on your questionnaire.

Is there access to a local gym or other exercise?

Yes! In fact, Sierra Rep has just connected with another gym in effort to offer you even more options. We have arrangements with two local fitness centers. They present different ambiances, but both offer a wide variety of state of the art facilities. There are also a few places in town that offer yoga classes and such on a class by class basis. If you prefer a more natural form of exercise, Sonora is a perfect place for hiking, jogging, exploring, and so on. Please feel free to ask the company manager for more details.

Do I have to eat meals and spend time with my hosts?

In general, the answer is no. The hosts realize that you will be experiencing long hours which are probably very different from their own. They do not expect you to be home for meals or to keep them company on your days off. However, when possible, please take any opportunity to share your experiences and get to know each other. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Hosts offer their house to the theatre because they love meeting new people and sharing in a part of your Sonora experience.

Are you really out in the boonies?

Not really. There is no Nordstrom or Macy’s nearby, and the closest Mercedes dealer is sixty miles away. But we do have 24 hour grocery stores, a Wal-Mart and several department/clothing stores. One of our New York based actors told us this summer that it was “nice to see trees that weren’t planted in rows.”

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through lsweetland@sierrarep.org or contact the company manager. We’re always glad to help.