About twenty years ago, Karen “Sarge” Rachels, who had starred on Broadway, worked with the television and recording industries, and basically had been involved with theater and the entertainment world her entire life, made Big Bear Lake her permanent home.
When theater is in your blood, there’s no way to put it on the shelf just because one relocates to a resort/retirement community. With this move, Sarge saw a golden opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream. With nothing more than her endless energy and abundance of creative juices, she embarked upon a new adventure that would change her life and impact the lives of so many others she was yet to meet.

In 1994 Sarge and her mom, Jean Schiesser, a talented lady in her own right, established the Community Arts Theater Society, a non-profit theatrical production organization, and CATS of Big Bear was born. From its inception, CATS was established to bring affordable, quality theater to the Valley providing community participation, while creating a complete theater production from the planning stages to the final curtain. Members of the community of all ages have always been welcome. Men, women and children are all encouraged to get involved in the theater experience with a great emphasis on family participation. Those familiar with live theater are astounded that CATS is able to accomplish such high quality productions on such a low budget and an all-volunteer cast and crew. This is primarily due to the true “community spirit” that the Community Arts Theater Society embraces. CATS has no paid staff and relies on donations, fundraisers, and what money is left from ticket sales after all expenses are paid. The profit from each show is hopefully enough to provide seed money for the next show during each fall, spring and summer CATS season.

Sarge’s dream for the Community Arts Theater Society could not be complete, however, until CATS had a home of its own. Costumes, sets, props and other equipment had to be housed in storage units throughout the Valley. With no home of its own, CATS was forced to expend a great deal of additional money that was not building for the future.

Thanks to the support of many, Sarge’s long awaited dream is becoming a reality. In 2008 The Community Arts Theater Society broke ground for its very own Warehouse Theater located in Big Bear City. The plans were divided into three phases. Phases 1 and 2 have been the construction phases providing a place for storage and building sets out of the cold and snow. Phase 3 is designated to facilitate a small theater. With further financial help, this last phase will create a flexible theater with a place for classes, workshops, children’s theater, and a facility for smaller and more frequent productions. Once the Warehouse Theater is complete, CATS will have an even greater opportunity to bring a variety of entertainment to Big Bear Valley, continuing in the CATS tradition of quality and affordable live theater for all to enjoy.

By Joan Carlson
CATS
PO Box 400
Big Bear City, CA 92314
bigbeartheater@earthlink.net
www.bigbeartheater.org

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