Bette Aitken

Review: Chance Theater Presents WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
by Michael Quintos - Oct 17, 2025

The current fragile state of, arguably, one of our country's most important founding documents—and whether or not some of our current leaders are legally following it—seems to be top of mind these days, which bodes well for the timely arrival of Chance Theater's latest production, playwright Heidi Schreck's semi-autobiographical 2017 Tony and Pulitzer Prize nominated play WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME, which continues performances in Anaheim through October 26, 2025.

Photos: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at Chance Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2025

Chance Theater has released new production photos of What the Constitution Means to Me, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Heidi Schreck and directed by Katie Chidester.

Chance Theater Announces 2026 Season
by Gillian Blum - Oct 4, 2025

Anaheim, California's Chance Theater announces the productions for its 2026 season, including award-winning musicals, urgent new plays, and stories that resonate.

Chance Theater Will Present WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 16, 2025

Chance Theater, Anaheim’s official resident theater company, just announced  What the Constitution Means to Me, written by Heidi Schreck and directed by Project LaFemme Artistic Director Katie Chidester.

Review: Chance Theater Presents Intimate New Production of SPRING AWAKENING
by Michael Quintos - Jul 23, 2025

Bursting with powerful, beautifully-rendered musical performances and emotionally-stirring characterizations from a terrific ensemble cast, Chance Theater's incredible-sounding, fiercely-acted, deeply searing new production of SPRING AWAKENING is, according to this critic, one of the best, most satisfying productions of this musical I have seen in a while. With characters you care for and a stunning score that stays with you, the show remains a favorite. And, most of all, the show still f**king rocks.

Review: THE CHINESE LADY at Chance Theatre
by Amanda Callas - Jun 11, 2025

The production by Chance Theater, directed brilliantly by Shinshin Yuder Tsai, is lyrical, riveting, and provocative.  The Chinese Lady is also surprisingly, darkly funny.

SPRING AWAKENING Begins This July At Chance Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2025

Chance Theater will bring the revolutionary Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening to Orange County for the first time this summer, running July 11 through August 10, 2025, on the Cripe Stage at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center. Directed by Associate Artistic Director Jocelyn A. Brown, the production also features music direction by Robyn Manion and choreography by Mo Goodfellow.

Chance Theater To Present the OTR Staged Reading of AND THOU SHALT BE HEALED
by A.A. Cristi - May 10, 2025

Chance Theater has announced the staged reading of and thou shalt be healed, written by 2025 Resident Playwright Benjamin Benne and directed by Jeremy Cohen. This event is part of Chance Theater's acclaimed 'On the Radar' (OTR) New Play Reading Series, highlighting innovative and impactful works in progress.

Chance Theater To Present On the Radar Staged Reading of TEA FOR TOOFI
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 8, 2025

Chance Theater has announced the staged reading of Tea for Toofi, written and directed by Ravi Kapoor. This event is part of Chance Theater's acclaimed 'On the Radar' (OTR) New Play Reading Series, highlighting innovative and impactful works in progress.

SUCH SMALL HANDS Extends at the Chance Theater
by Stephi Wild - Mar 7, 2025

Chance Theater has announced that its World Premiere production of Such Small Hands has been extended due to demand. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!

PYRO: HOW TO BLOW UP A LIFE  Set For Next Month at Chance Theater
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2025

Chance Theater has announced the staged reading of the brand new play Pyro: How to Blow Up a Life, written by 2018 Chance Fox Fellow Khanisha Foster and directed by Sasha Nicolle Smith.

Photos: SUCH SMALL HANDS World Premiere At Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 1, 2025

Chance Theater will present the World Premiere of Such Small Hands, written by Adam Szymkowicz and directed by Matthew McCray (Hedwig and The Angry Inch, Rent). See photos from the production.

Review: TICK TICK...BOOM! at Chance Theater
by Amanda Callas - Feb 11, 2025

TICK TICK...BOOM! is an inspiring hit musical at the award-winning Chance Theater in Anaheim through February 23rd.  Set in New York City in 1990, this is a poignant love letter to Jonathan Larson, composer of the Broadway mega-hit musical Rent. Surprisingly for something that is grounded in real life and in real struggle, there is so much reach-for-the-sky, genuine optimism in TICK TICK...BOOM! that it feels restorative. 

SUCH SMALL HANDS World Premiere Announced At Chance Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 18, 2025

Chance Theater will present the World Premiere of Such Small Hands, written by Adam Szymkowicz and directed by Matthew McCray (Hedwig and The Angry Inch, Rent).

AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE BODY OF WATER Kicks Off The 2025 OTR Season At Chance Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 9, 2025

Chance Theater has announced the staged reading of at the very bottom of a body of water, written by 2025 Resident Playwright Benjamin Benne and directed by Sara Guerrero.

TICK, TICK...BOOM! Opens At Chance Theater This Feburary
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 27, 2024

Chance Theater has announced the highly anticipated production of Tick, Tick... Boom!, directed by H. Adam Harris (Boat Show). Running on Cripe Stage from February 1, 2025, through February 23, 2025, with previews beginning January 24, 2025.

EMMA THE MUSICAL Comes to Chance Theater
by Stephi Wild - Oct 29, 2024

Chance Theater has announced the highly anticipated return of Jane Austen’s Emma, The Musical, directed by Chance Theater Founding Resident Artist Casey Long. This enchanting adaptation by Paul Gordon brings Austen’s timeless tale of romance and matchmaking to life on the Bette Aitken theater arts Center’s Cripe Stage from November 29, 2024, through December 22, 2024.

Review: Chance Theater Presents OC Premiere of Dark Comedy GLORIA
by Michael Quintos - Oct 11, 2024

Offering a sharp and multi-layered commentary on modern workplace culture, unchecked ambition, and the public-stoked commodification of trauma, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' intriguing play GLORIA—a riveting new dark comedy that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize—is currently having its OC premiere at Chance Theater thru Oct. 20 in Anaheim.

GLORIA to Headline Chance Theater Beginning in September
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 24, 2024

Chance Theater, Anaheim's official resident theater company, has announced the Orange County Premiere of Gloria, the provocative and darkly comedic play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Directed by the award-winning Marya Mazor, Gloria will run at the Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center from September 27 to October 20, 2024.

Chance Theater Presents SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 9, 2024

Chance Theater in Anaheim extends its run of SWEENEY TODD through August 18th. Don't miss this thrilling production of the classic musical.