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Preserving Theatre History in Los Gatos

My friend Marcia Frederick, now retired, spent her career in theater, designing costumes, directing productions, teaching, and creating art. She has an impressive collection of material from the early days of California Actor’s Theatre, which she recently gifted to New Museum Los Gatos.

New Museum of Los Gatos
New Museum of Los Gatos

I met Marcia at San Jose Repertory Theater in the early eighties. I worked under Marcia’s supervision in the costume shop, my first professional job after graduating with a degree in Theater Arts from San Jose State.

San Jose Rep Reunion
San Jose Rep Reunion

Though my love of theater and costumes has never wavered, working in that profession as a single woman meant days and weeks without a paycheck between gigs, no medical benefits, and no paid time off. I didn’t consciously mean to step away, but I got a taste of a steady paycheck working a temp job, and moved on from there.

Marcia hopes to preserve the history and legacy of theater in this area. She recently donated many of her original costume renderings, news clippings, programs, and the like to New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU).

New Museum Los Gatos Exhibit: Donated by Marcia Frederick
Marcia Frederick costume renderings at NUMU
Marcia Frederick costume renderings, Our Town, 1969, Los Gatos, California
The California Actors Theatre 1974-75 Season, Los Gatos, California

Additionally, she donated costumes from the early days at California Actors Theater and California Shakespeare Festival in Los Gatos. These items are on display August 6 through September 27, 2026. They will become part of the museum’s permanent collection.

A black velvet gown and accompanying black lace mantilla. The black dress is largely plain, with black ruffles at the sleeve openings and along the neckline, with two bands of silver piping down the front. On the back of the dress' skirt, there is black striped detailing, with additional black lace trim. The dress opens in the back with a silver zipper. The black mantilla features a floral pattern, and has wavy edges.
Costume Design by Marcia Frederick

From the museum:

“Marcia, we will feature your recent donation in our upcoming summer exhibition! Your generous gift is an important addition to our art and history collection, deepening our connection to our local arts community and to the history of theater in Los Gatos. We are so grateful for your continued support of New Museum Los Gatos. Choosing NUMU to steward your artwork is an honor for our community and us. We pride ourselves on preserving, caring for, and sharing these meaningful pieces into the future.”

I attended the reception of the New Additions exhibit this week, where Marcia was one of two featured speakers. She’s passionate about the craft and the importance of theater, and she wants others to share in that experience.

I met a few of Marcia’s colleagues from her early days in theater that evening, and we had fun playing the “do you remember…” game. It was a remarkable evening.

Marcia Frederick speaking at the opening of New Additions, NUMU, Los Gatos
New Additions reception guests

If you’re local, and a friend of the theater, I know you’ll enjoy this exhibit. If you’ve also had the pleasure of working with Marcia throughout her career, this exhibit is a treat.

You can see Marcia’s full donation to NUMU here. It includes programs, news clippings, additional costume renderings, slides, and photographs.

22 thoughts on “Preserving Theatre History in Los Gatos”

    • I wish you lived closer, too, as I know you would appreciate this exhibit. Here is a bit about the costume:

      “Designed and worn by Cordelia from “King Lear”
      A sleeveless brown leather gown. The gown is designed to appear like it is from a primitive society, and has many obvious stitching marks and signs of distress throughout. The dress opens in the back, and has 11 brass grommets on either side of the opening, with a small leather strap tying the dress closed.”

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