Woodland Tutors Come To You

The Woodland Opera House (WOH) located in Woodland, California, is home to one of the city’s main cultural epicenters and is one of only four fully functioning 19th-century opera houses in California. Listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and California Historical Landmark, the Woodland Opera House is on prominent display as part of Woodland’s Downtown Historic District. Offering school outreach, classes for adults, and special events and family theatre, the WOH is one of the city’s best and oldest attractions.

Prominent San Francisco architect, Thomas J. Welsh designed the opera house, and it was constructed local contractor, William Henry Curson. Unfortunately, the original opera house was destroyed in a devastating fire that damaged much of downtown Woodland. It was rebuilt, however, using the remaining foundations and bricks from the original building. More than 300 touring companies would grace the stage at Woodland Opera House with notable performers such as John Philip Sousa and his band, John L. Sullivan and “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, as well as young, up-and-coming film stars Sydney Greenstreet and Verna Felton. The success wouldn’t last long, however, as the film industry would take its toll. In 1913, The Woodland Opera House would be boarded up and would remain vacant and unused until 1971. Thanks to the efforts of the Yolo County Historical Society, the opera house would not fall prey to the wrecking ball.

Restoration on the opera house began in the early 1980s; the process would cost the over $2,000,000 and would take nearly a decade, but after almost eighty years, the Woodland Opera House would once again offer live entertainment year-round. Work was still completed over the following nine years making sure the building was safe: the newly renovated Woodland Opera House would be “earthquake proofed,” have central heat and air-conditioning, made handicap accessible, and have a sprinkler and alarm system. Other bells and whistles included antique wallpaper, lighting, and appropriate paint colors, all of which would win the interior restoration awards and accolades. Later, a gift counter, the Mid Level Lounge, and a rooftop deck was added, and in 1990, the Woodland Rotary Club would help add an outdoor plaza named Intermission Garden.

Making sure to preserve the love of the theatre, Woodland Opera House offers youth summer theatre camps. Students learn the techniques of musical theatre, including singing, dancing, voice projection, theatre etiquette and terminology. Woodland tutoring can also benefit the student needing a little extra help in the classroom. The opera house also offers workshops and classes for adults: everything from hula dance, tap, jazz basics and adult ballet. The pursuit of knowledge is admirable, so while children are also learning about theatre and dance, Woodland tutors can help prepare or keep students on track for the school year.