1986 | Alisal Elementary School District sponsors Peter Pan at Sherwood Hall, inaugurating the Spring Conservatory Accelerated Program |
1989 | ARIEL Theatrical, Inc. receives its 501 (c) (3) non-profit status |
1989 | First one-week summer camp held at the Deseret Montessori School in Prunedale |
1989 | The Best Christmas Pageant Ever staged at the Fox Theatre as ARIEL’s first holiday production |
1995 | The Velveteen Rabbit staged at Salinas Women’s Club as first Spring Conservatory Intermediate Program |
1997 | Tikki Tikki Tembo staged at Salinas Women’s Club as first Spring Conservatory Beginning Program |
1997 | First Summer Conservatory Production, Wizard of Oz, staged at Sherwood Hall in collaboration with the City of Salinas Recreation Department |
1999 | Ford’s Department Store purchased as site for ARIEL’s own home |
2001 | At last–ARIEL takes up residence in the renovated and re-named Wilson Children’s Theatre |
2002 | New Spring and Fall programs are created, staging You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and the West Coast premier of Children’s Letters to God. |
2005 | Summer Conservatory Production moves to ARIEL’s home |
2006 | Basement remodeling creates a “green room,” actors’ rest rooms, classrooms, costume and prop storage |
2007 | The long-awaited tier-seating is installed, thanks to a very generous benefactor |
2008 | Late Spring and Fall Beginning programs added with The Three Piggy Opera and Three Nanny Goats Gruff |
2009 | Founder and Artistic Director, Gail Higginbotham, is honored by the Arts Council for Monterey County as Luminary Champion of the Arts |
2009 | Rehearsal room with mirrors and wooden floors completes the basement renovation |
2010 | ARIEL launches its new website, courtesy of TMD |
2012 | Building renamed the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre (at Tom Wilson’s request) |
2014 | Collaboration with Reach Theatre, a program of Special Kids Crusade |
2015 | ARIEL launches The Play’s the Thing (so why not learn to act?), daytime classes |