Since 1946, Yakima locals have piled into the rows of Warehouse Theatre’s auditorium for one of the company’s many shows, and no matter the genre or the decade, the performances never disappoint. Yakima Valley is a hub for artists and creatives of all kinds, and live theatre has always been a staple of the community.
The Early Years: Warehouse Theatre’s History
Warehouse Theatre was founded by Hal and Lorna Millen in 1946 under the name The Yakima Little Theatre Group. Beginning as a small but dedicated group of thespians, the group quickly gained traction and expanded in both numbers and community involvement over the years.
For the company’s monumental first show, the group organized “Icebound,” a Pulitzer-Prize-winning 1923 family drama. After seeing growing interest from both audience and cast members, “Night Must Fall” came to life on stage later that season. In the nearly eighty years that followed, Warehouse Theatre has cemented its place as one of Yakima’s most beloved theatres – and the longest-running community theatre in the county.
The Stage’s Influence: Yakima Community Impact
The Theatre’s mission statement– “to engage, enrich and encourage our community through shared experiences in theatre arts”– creates a sense of vivacity and growth that we see throughout all of Yakima County’s artistic society.
Warehouse’s repertoire spans multiple centuries of material and countless genres, but the team never loses sight of the integral role that the audience plays in the theatre experience. On-Stage performances, where the cast reads directly from the script instead of acting out memorized lines and complex choreography, are a perfect example of the attention to detail that Warehouse puts into each event.
These nights show theatre “in its most basic form… Great plays come to life on a bare stage with only a script, a music stand, actors …and the audience’s imagination.” As you file into the theatre and find your seat, know that over the course of the show, you’ll not only create memories and enjoy a live performance from a talented cast and crew, but you’ll become a part of the Warehouse Theatre family.
Enter Stage Left: Getting Involved at Warehouse Theatre
Many of the crew members have spent years, if not decades, investing in the Warehouse Theatre community; however, there are no prerequisites required to become a part of the magic, either behind the scenes or on stage. As an all-volunteer crew, with new members and changing team dynamics every show, each person learns to hone their skills to best bring a play from page to stage. Some actors and technicians alike from Warehouse Theatre’s history have gone on to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, some are returning from directing, acting, or tech careers to invest more in their local community, and some are brand new to the theatre world but can’t wait to step into (or behind) the spotlight as part of an upcoming show.
Kaitlyn Flippin, a local thespian who studied at Central Washington University to earn her B.A. in Theatre and Lighting Design, is a newer member of the Warehouse crew and was immediately drawn to the company’s evident passion for the arts. “Theatre is a far more personal experience than watching a movie. It draws you in and includes you more than a screen can,” Kaitlyn says.
Through her many years of experience as a lighting technician, Kaitlyn knows that every show brings its challenges, and, by extension, every show has its unique joys as well. “Being a part of creating the story? Words cannot describe how special that feels,” she shares. “Hearing the collective intake of breath as an entire audience is caught by surprise. Feeling your skin prickle with the uproar of laughter from hundreds of people. Theatre is a community sharing a moment in time together. Theatre is connecting with people you do not know in ways you will never fully realize.”
The role of a lighting tech is crucial to bringing the director’s vision to life and, appropriately, letting the actors shine on stage. “As a lighting tech, I am running the console that controls the lights on stage,” Kaitlyn says. “Every time a corner of the stage dims or a spotlight illuminates the face of an actor, that is me. I execute the lighting designer’s vision to turn the lights on at the correct time… or turn them off, in this case. It’s to be expected in a show titled ‘While the Lights Were Out.'”
Whether in a leading acting role or as a hair and makeup stylist, Warehouse is always looking for new volunteers. If you have a skill you’d like to bring to the stage, reach out to join the community! “I found my passion in sound,” Kaitlyn shares, “but I’ve tried out as many aspects of theatre as I could get my hands on, and I wouldn’t have learned what I love doing without testing the waters. Try new things!”
Under the Spotlight: The Show of the Summer
This summer, Warehouse is midway through its seventy-seventh season, with Jack Sharkey’s murder mystery “While the Lights Were Out” already selling tickets for opening night on July 11, 2025.
With all of the twists, turns, and red herrings of a classic murder mystery, but with a comedic spin and a wacky cast, Warehouse Theatre promises yet another production full of laughter and intrigue. Bring your friends or family to this July’s event as part of the audience, and keep an eye out for auditions or volunteer calls if you’re interested in becoming more involved in an upcoming show.
