The blue room legacy
The Blue Room began in the spring of 1994 after a group of Chico High alumni who had been performing a summer theatre festival in the Latimer Backyard during their college years (called “The Butcher Shop”) began performing original jazz puppet plays in cafes around town under the name “The Cosmic Travel Agency” in 1993. They were seeking their own venue to perform original and avant garde drama they had seen in Seattle, New York and elsewhere.
They rented the old Masonic Lodge over Collier’s Hardware for $1,200 a month, built a temporary shower in the mens bathroom and began living in the theatre to help pay the bills. They didn’t live there long, but for the next twenty five years that location saw hundreds of plays and actors of every age and ability take the stage. Post-pandemic, the theatre moved to its new location next to the Oasis to continue its mission of providing Chico with intelligent, humorous, beautiful, original, innovative theatre.
THE NEXT ERA
The Blue Room Board of Directors is excited to announce that Dana Moore and Samantha Shaner will be continuing the Blue Room's legacy as Co-Artistic Directors starting with a fearless and innovative 2026-2027 season.
They hope to usher in a bold new era while staying true to what makes The Blue Room Theatre so special!
Dana Moore
Co-Artistic Director
Dana Moore has been part of the Chico,CA acting scene since she was 9 years old with the Chico Area Student Theater (C.A.S.T.) program at Chico City Light Opera. You've seen her in productions at The Blue Room, Chico Cabaret, Chico Theatre Company, and random back yards.
After graduating Chico State, she moved to NYC where she studied and performed improv and sketch comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade, Magnet Theater, Peoples Improv Theater and beyond.
A decade and a world of experience later, she moved back to Chico and started The Nerve - a comedy collective offering classes and performance opportunities for all skill levels, right here at The Blue Room, winning the City of Chico Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Samantha Shaner
Co-Artistic Director
Samantha Shaner is a "Broadway World" award-winning actress from Chico,CA and part of the original Blue Room Theatre Company for 25 years.
She has worked professionally in television on hit shows for FOX, ABC, CW and Amazon Prime, as well as on stage with the Portland Performing Arts Center, Sacramento Theater Company and Legacy Stage.
She is also the creator of the successful "Triple Threats" theater program for the Boys and Girls Club of the North Valley.