Artistic Director Michael Stevenson Shares the Magic and Influence of Capital Stage.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Please send me a text...I sit down with Michael Stevenson, Artistic Director, to explore how Capital Stage delivers bold, conversation-starting theater in one of Sacramento’s most intimate professional venues—just 127 seats, no microphones, and acting so close you can feel the breath. We talk origin stories (from a 99-seat space on the Delta King to today’s J Street home), the company’s appetite for risk, why emotionally engaging audiences lowers “intellectual guards,” and the post-pandemic realities of keeping cutting-edge theater sustainable.Why ListenHear how intimacy (four rows from the stage) changes performance, voice, and audience impact.Learn how Capital Stage curates “conversation starters” that linger for months—sometimes years.Get a candid look at funding, staffing, housing actors, and rebuilding audiences in 2025.Partnerships, rolling world premieres, community outreach, and academy training.Key TopicsThe Capital Stage Difference: 127 seats, un-mic’d performances, “tiny, detailed” acting that hits emotionally first.Programming Philosophy: Contemporary satire + award-winning dramas (e.g., English, The Nether, Pass Over, Lehman Trilogy, Vietgone, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, King James).Community & Inclusion: Ambassadorship to underrepresented communities; shows that invite new audiences into the room.Funding Reality: Earned vs. contributed revenue, AB-5 impacts, material/labor costs, and audience recovery plateaus.Education & Pipeline: Cap Stage Academy, apprenticeships, and rehearsal/office hub at CLARA.Partnerships: From local cultural orgs and associations to health and education partners tied to specific productions.What’s Next: Flex tickets, dynamic pricing exploration, deeper community collaborations, and rebuilding subscriptions.Memorable Moments“Engage people emotionally and their intellectual guards go down.”Audience members still talking about shows a year later.A Vietnamese elder’s thanks after Vietgone: “Thank you for telling this story.”Quick Stats & OperationsHouse size: 127 seatsSeason: 7 productions/year (~29 performances each; ~200+ performances annually)Subscribers: Peaked ~2,283 pre-COVID; ~1,800 today and rebuildingModel: ~60–65% earned / ~35–40% contributed (individual donors are critical)How to Support / Get InvolvedSee a show, bring a friend, and talk about it after—be part of the “cap chat.”Subscribe or pick up flex tickets for maximum convenience.Sponsor a production or become an annual donor.Offer actor housing or in-kind services.Learn more: capstage.org (tickets, calendar, classes, donations).Chapter Guide (approx.)00:00 Welcome & series context02:00 Why intimacy changes everything (no mics, four rows to the stage)07:30 Programming that sparks conversation (English, Lehman Trilogy, King James, Vietgone)18:30 Community partnerships & inclusion strategies24:00 Education, apprenticeships, and CLARA28:00 Funding realities, audience recovery, and new models (flex, dynamic pricing)36:00 Wishlist & “blank check” vision40:00 Calls to action & where to learn moreCTA: If this episode resonated, please follow the show, leave a quick rating, and share it with someone who loves live theater. Your word of mouth helps keep the arts alive.Thank you so much for listening to this nonprofit story!  We appreciate you. Please visit the website to sign up for our email updates and newsletter. https://www.nonprofpod.com/  And if you like, leave me a voicemail to comment on the program, leave a question for us to ask in the future or a message for me, Jeff Holden. I may even use your voice mail message in a future episode of one of our incredible local nonprofit organizations. https://www.nonprofpod.com/voicemail. Thanks again for your support in listening, commenting and sharing the great work our local nonprofits are accomplishing.