Inspire & Engage
At Cygnet Theatre, we are committed to…
Creating programming that is grounded in prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We are committed to forging long-lasting relationships with communities that are not part of our theatre history and are less visible in theatre populations. We are dedicated to building a Cygnet Theatre Bridge by investing in the neighborhoods we serve. We are resolved to listen to the narratives of the communities we serve to achieve our goals mutually.
“I owe so much gratitude to Cygnet Theatre for supporting me as a young artist. Receiving the Cygnet Scholarship and being cast in From the Page to the Stage have both been deeply meaningful parts of my journey in musical theatre.
The Cygnet Scholarship not only affirmed my dedication and hard work, but also gave me the confidence to pursue this art with purpose and authenticity. Touring From the Page to the Stage this past summer challenged me to grow as both a performer and a collaborator. With the multiple roles I played, my favorites being Glinda and Sally Brown, I was encouraged to be versatile and to explore storytelling in new ways.
Performing and sharing the history of theatre with the community was incredibly fulfilling. During our Q&A talkbacks, I was able to connect with audiences and, I hope, inspire future generations of theatre artists and crew. These experiences have strengthened my belief in the power of theatre to inspire, heal, and bring people together, reminding me why I fell in love with this art form in the first place.”
The Student Matinee Experience
For nearly a decade, Cygnet Theatre has been offering to San Diego County K-12 schools free student matinees for select productions each season. Cygnet Theatre offers 4 student matinee performances each season. San Diego County teachers are encouraged to sign up to bring their class(es) to one of these productions.
For many students, the student matinee field trip is their first time attending a live theatre performance, and for them it is the catalyst to developing an appreciation for the arts. Giving our youth a rich theatre experience is important to us because it broadens their understanding of the world as they know it. Regardless of the production’s time or geographic setting, each show at Cygnet Theatre has one thing in common—it speaks to some aspect of the human experience.
For more information, please contact Education & Outreach Director Carlos Mendoza at cmendoza@cygnettheatre.org
After each student matinee show, actors return to the stage for a talkback where they engage in conversation about elements of the show, the acting profession, or anything else students are interested in learning.
The student matinee experience also includes pre-show in-school workshops that complement the students’ theatre experience. The workshops expose students to theatre topics like acting, playwriting, literature and history. The curriculum meets multiple San Diego Unified Visual and Performing Arts and California Common Core standards and helps students recognize and appreciate what it takes to produce a professional show. This program is enriching for all who participate.
If you are a San Diego County teacher who would like to bring your class(es) to a student matinee, contact Education & Outreach Director Carlos Mendoza at cmendoza@cygnettheatre.com.
Student scholarships
Through the Donald C. & Elizabeth Dickinson Foundation Cygnet Scholarship and Theatrical Summer Job Opportunity, Cygnet Theatre continues to offer four $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors who are dedicated to pursuing theatre. Students must be committed to enhancing their professional and artistic abilities through a nationwide theatre conservatory, college, or university.
Applications to the 2025 Donald C. & Elizabeth Dickinson Foundation Cygnet Scholarship are now closed.
The 2025 Cygnet Scholarship Competition has concluded. For information on applying in 2026, please contact Carlos Mendoza at Cmendoza@cygnettheatre.org.
From the page to the stage
From the Page to the Stage is a FREE educational program. It’s a fun and engaging 45-minute presentation designed to inspire a love of reading in both children and adults through the magic and joy of live theater.
From the Page to the Stage helps children understand how works of literature from Cervantes to Mark Twain to Charles Schulz can end up on the musical stage, demonstrating the power of imagination in both reading and performing arts. Young audiences will enjoy these exciting “mini-shows” put on by professional musical theater performers featuring selections from popular musicals based on classic literary works such as Big River, Man of La Mancha, Seussical the Musical, Wicked, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Please check back closer to summer for our updated 2026 performance schedule.
Pre-Professional Program
CYGNET’S PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
AND CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PARTNERSHIPS
Cygnet’s Pre-Professional programs are eight-week residencies of industry-standard instruction through an apprentice process that supports high school productions. This dynamic program provides essential work-based learning, which fulfills requirements for most CTE high school district departments.
Each partnership residency focuses on the needs of each academic institution and provides the proper professional mentorship to address areas of deficiency and elevate each school’s program to propel its vision forward.
With a commitment to providing college and career readiness, collaboration with our CTE partners empowers the next generation of theatre professionals with the skills and experience essential to succeed in our industry.
We are proud to share our ongoing partnership with Chula Vista High School, School of the Creative and Performing Arts, and the Sweetwater Union High School District, Career and Technical Education department. Along with their VAPA departments, Cygnet will provide a Pre-Professional residency in the spring of 2026.
If you are interested in exploring the opportunity to have this program at your school, please contact the Education and Outreach Director, Carlos Mendoza, at the following email: cmendoza@cygnettheatre.org
Cygnet Artists in the Schools
Cygnet’s Artists in the Schools programs provide professional teaching artists in classrooms and after school for performing arts residencies of four, six, and eight weeks. Designed to engage and inspire, the program incorporates artists from specific disciplines to lead students through a unit tailored to support in-class instruction or an exploration and discovery process. The program provides students with guidance and modeling in rehearsal and performance, culminating in a final presentation that showcases their growth and creativity. A designated space is required for this program. All content is customized for the population it serves.
For the 2025–2026 school year, our residencies will take place at High Tech Elementary Explorer, Our Lady’s School, Liberty Schools at Liberty Station, and Chula Vista Middle School.
This year, through an exciting partnership with the VAPA Foundation, Artists in the Schools will be serving students throughout the San Diego Unified School District.
There is a fee for these programs. For more information, please email cmendoza@cygnettheatre.org
The Cygnet Scholarship not only affirmed my dedication and hard work, but also gave me the confidence to pursue this art with purpose and authenticity. Touring From the Page to the Stage this past summer challenged me to grow as both a performer and a collaborator. With the multiple roles I played, my favorites being Glinda and Sally Brown, I was encouraged to be versatile and to explore storytelling in new ways.
Performing and sharing the history of theatre with the community was incredibly fulfilling. During our Q&A talkbacks, I was able to connect with audiences and, I hope, inspire future generations of theatre artists and crew. These experiences have strengthened my belief in the power of theatre to inspire, heal, and bring people together, reminding me why I fell in love with this art form in the first place.
Your next great theatre experience awaits.
Musical Monday – The Happiness Within Me
Sponsored by Wendy Nash
Somewhere Over the Border
Features a vibrant, Latin-infused score.
The Lehman Trilogy
The rise and fall of the Lehman Brothers in a gripping, sweeping saga.
The SpongeBob Musical
An unforgettable journey with SpongeBob and friends as they race to save Bikini Bottom.
