BEST LIVE THEATER
6 TH STREET PLAYHOUSE
By Ismael Ramos
I n 2004, two local theater companies—Santa Rosa Players and Actors Theatre—came together to turn a 107-year-old cannery into what it is today: 6th Street Playhouse. Our 2025 Best Live Theater winner continues to enrich Sonoma County through great life performances. When asked how they set themselves apart from other theater companies, Executive Artistic Director Emily Lynn Cornelius says, 6th Street has been focusing on the “community” aspect of community theater. “We have reinforced our connection to other nonprofits to enrich culture and engagement in our area,” she says. “We have continued partnerships to enhance our patrons’ theatergoing experience, and have developed new partnerships that are solely dedicated to serving the community at large.” The theater has accomplished this through its selection of productions on the main stage, as well as for its youth productions. Associate Artistic Director Jonathan Blue and Artistic Associate David Bradbury work to educate, train and mentor the next generation of actors through their youth productions, enrichment programs and master classes. For those who have regularly attended shows at 6th Street and are wondering what new things to expect this upcoming season, Cornelius mentions the theater is celebrating its 55th year of producing shows in Santa Rosa. “Previously we were known as Santa Rosa Players, and we’ve been at 6th Street Playhouse for 20 years—a double anniversary!” says Cornelius “We
From 6th Street’s recent production of ‘The Importance of Being Earnest.’
also have introduced a monthly live-play-reading series going into its second season.” That series is a free event for people to come hear plays and musicals and offer feedback about whether the play should be produced at full scale. “It also allows us to give more actors and directors a space to create,” she says. “6th Street is run on volunteers and has over 400 volunteers annually.” v 6thstreetplayhouse.com
BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
S AFARI WEST
By Rosie Padilla
T ucked into the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains is a full-fledged African wildlife preserve known as Safari West, founded by husband-and-wife duo Nancy and Peter Lang. It was the late 1980s when Peter, a conservationist working with endangered species, purchased 400 acres of land in Santa Rosa and relocated his collection of exotic wildlife. Safari West struggled in its early days; in fact, on the day of opening no one showed up to tour the wildlife preserve. “People thought we were out of our minds,” says Nancy. “But we held onto the vision and over time that dream became what Safari West is today: a place where guests sleep in authentic African tents, tour in safari vehicles and connect face-to-face with giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and other African hoof stock.” The goal of Safari West is to give locals and visitors an unforgettable experience while promoting conservation and environmental education. The wildlife preserve continually expands its outreach via school programs, community partnerships as well as digital access via Safari West Live. As it reads on the website, “At Safari West it’s all about the animals. Always has been, always will be.” Nancy shared her thoughts on earning a first-place award in this
Safari West, the only Santa Rosa commute that involves giraffes.
year’s readers’ poll. “To be recognized now as Best Outdoor Adventure by the community that’s grown with us is incredibly humbling. It tells us that the heart, care and authenticity we’ve poured into this place are felt. That people see what we’ve built and that it matters,” says Nancy. v safariwest.com
Best of the North Bay 2025
Northbaybiz 59
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