Edith Roberts

My parents moved to Chico in 1950 from the very vibrant and busy theater scene in San Francisco. I remember going to the university auditorium as a child to see traveling shows, concerts and dance. It was a way my parents continued their love of music and theater and taught us kids to love it also.

When our daughter was 9 years old, she began to dance in the company of Chico Community ballet. Her appreciation of all that goes into any performance developed after years of classes and rehearsals. When she sees a performance now, as an adult, she sees how hard the actors and musicians have worked to bring their performance to their audience.

In 2006 I was honored to replace the first community member in the role of the Grandmother in the Nutcracker, the legendary Marilyn Warrens. A hard act to follow for sure. I have also come to appreciate all that goes into a performance, the hours of rehearsals, the creative designs of the dances, the artistry of the set design and all the way down to the costumes and make up artists .It’s been almost 20 years as a community member of the cast of the Nutcracker. What a wonderful way to continue my parents love of the theater.

— Edith M. Roberts