The Guild

The Forest Theater Guild is a local non-profit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to promoting the performing arts in our community through our community theater endeavors while promoting mentoring of the theater arts for our local youth.
The purpose of the Forest Theater Guild is to uphold our heritage and the integrity of Carmel’s historic Forest Theater through stewardship and preservation of its unique character. Further, the mission of the Guild is to present quality performing arts and foster the growth and appreciation of the dramatic arts among the community using local talent with an emphasis on youth. Our programs offer participants training at the beautiful and historic theater, where they gain hands-on experience next to our professional staff and by becoming involved with our live plays, films, and events.
The Forest Theatre Guild was incorporated in 1950 and ties it roots to the original founders of the Forest Theater and performing group, the Forest Theater Society. Like our predecessors, the ‘Forest Theater Guild’ has a mission to present quality performing arts and to foster growth and appreciation of the dramatic and allied arts among the broad community utilizing community talent with emphasis on youth.

The purpose of the Forest Theater Guild is to uphold the heritage and integrity of Carmel’s historic Outdoor Forest Theater through stewardship, preservation of its unique character, and enhancement of the use of the theater property to promote community theater, films and events that support our mission of community theater and art.
One of the oldest remaining outdoor theaters west of the Rockies, the Forest Theater was built in 1910 by Herbert Heron and Carmel’s Bohemians to provide an open-air theater where plays could be produced by “locals, who would also have the fun doing the acting, directing, lighting, costuming, and staging.” (Personal letters of Herbert Heron). The Guild continues this tradition and the shared vision that community theater is an essential societal value in our current culture and continues to encourage arts for our youth and betterment of our society.

Annual Productions At The Forest

Experience the magic of live theater at the historic Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel, California. Each year, the Forest Theater Guild brings you an array of top-notch productions that will captivate and entertain audiences of all ages. With a rich history of unforgettable performances, we continue to bring quality theater to our community.

Past Productions

“Into The Woods” (2018)
“Swiss Family Robinson”
(2014)
“James and the Giant Peach” (2012)
“Little Shop of Horrors”
(2022)
“Little Shop of Horrors” (2022)
“Hunchback of Notre Dame” (2018)
in collaboration with Paraphrase Productions
“Hello, Dolly!” (2019)
“Little Shop
of Horrors” (2022)
At the Forest Theater Guild, we strive to create unforgettable experiences for our audiences. Join us for upcoming productions and be a part of the vibrant theater community in Carmel, California.

Board Of Directors

President
Hunter Powers
Vice President
.
Treasurer
Lucia Siesquen
Secretary
Adrianna Vargo
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors or being an advisor, please email us at [email protected] with Board Inquiry in the subject line. Be sure to include your contact info and the best time(s) to reach you.

MEMBERS OF THE 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Keith Decker, Brian McAuley, Tara Mann, Emmitt Withrow, Samantha Harmon

2025 Advisory Board

Laurel Bowen(past Pres), Cayden Bloomer, Ben Jonas, Sgt. Nelson Canham, Steve Retsky(Past Pres), Robin Welch, Mary Ann Carbone, Theodore Canham, Adrian Clark(Past Pres), Emmi Green, Ernest “E” Griffin-Ortiz, Kevin Armstead, Brian Steen-Larsen

JR Advisory Board

We have openings for junior advisors looking to make a difference

Staff

Yvonne Hildebrand-Bowen,
Executive Director