Real Musical Theatre. Every Kid. Since 1990.
For 35 years, River City Theatre Company has done something rare in the world of youth theatre: produced full-scale musical productions — live orchestra, real costumes, complete sets — and opened the doors to every child who wants to be part of them.
No cuts. No turning kids away.
The All-Access Workshop
RCTC's signature program is the All-Access Workshop. Two productions a year, 14 to 16 weeks each, where every registered student in grades 1–12 is guaranteed a role. Students learn acting, singing, and choreography from a dedicated team in a workshop environment built for growth — not competition.
Older students (grades 4–12) have the opportunity to audition for lead and supporting roles, with a preparatory workshop beforehand to set them up for success. The audition process itself is part of the education: a real, positive, confidence-building experience designed to help kids grow.
A Real Theatrical Experience
Each production culminates in 8 public performances over two weekends — split between two casts so every child gets meaningful stage time — plus 4 weekday matinees that bring live musical theatre to local schoolchildren who might never otherwise see it.
The orchestra is live. The costumes are crafted. The sets are full-scale. The community is real.
This is what makes RCTC different. Most youth theatre programs make families choose between access and excellence. RCTC has refused to choose since 1990.
A Sacramento Institution
Founded by Ron Cisneros and John Iniguez in 1990, River City Theatre Company has grown into a beloved part of Sacramento's cultural fabric. Thousands of young performers have come through our doors. Some have gone on to perform professionally or in collegiate theatre programs. Most have simply grown into more confident, more creative, more connected versions of themselves.
We also operate the RCTC Ronald Cisneros Scholarship, named for our co-founder, which helps families who couldn't otherwise afford to participate join our community.