Board of directors

The Acting Company (TAC) Board of Directors includes members from across the Yuba-Sutter community who are passionate about supporting the arts and our nonprofit charitable organization. We are all unpaid volunteers who hope to guide TAC towards a sustainable future through sound governance and financial management, and by ensuring TAC has adequate resources. We continue to advance our mission to foster and encourage the dramatic and performing arts and sharing in its joy and The Magic of Live Theater.

 Diane joined the Board of Directors in 2023, though her first involvement with TAC was in the late 80’s performing in children’s shows at the Prune Festival. She adores musical theater, and has been in several shows in Santa Cruz and the greater Sacramento region. At TAC, she last appeared in Mary Poppins and Bark! The Musical. She is a senior environmental scientist for the State, and a props master at the Woodland Opera House. As the newest TAC Board President, she is thrilled to help nurture growth and success in our community through the magic of live theater. 

A Wisconsin native, Curt moved to California in 1959. After graduating UC Davis in 1970, he took a position teaching English at Yuba City High School, retiring in 2006. In 1983, he cofounded TAC and served as its first president. As an actor, Curt has taken on several roles including Billy Bigelow in Carousel and Ben Rumson in Paint Your Wagon. As a playwright, he has written several of TAC’s productions, two of which

earned him a Sacramento area Elly award. As a director, he won an Elly for best musical - Forever Plaid. In between acting and directing, Curt has chaired too many fundraisers to remember. 

Bob Harlan joined The Acting Company Board of Directors in 1993 and brought with him a wealth of involvement in the Yuba-Sutter Community. For the seven years ending in 2015, Bob served as the President of the TAC Board. For the past 15 years, Bob has been in charge of theater maintenance, which includes cleaning between each performance and overseeing necessary improvements! Bob was the owner/general manager for KUBA & COOL 104 Radio in Yuba City for 27 years. Bob is celebrating 48 years of marriage to Robyn Harlan and they have one son, Scott who has his own business litigation law firm in Irvine with his wife, Tiffany.

  Pat Hill was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and has loved musical theater and acting for as long as she can remember. Her parents encouraged her passion early, enrolling her in voice lessons at age three and piano lessons at age five. She and her sister regularly performed at church, and once she began school, Pat became a fixture in annual school productions.

In 1956, newlyweds Pat and her husband Ken moved to California, settling in the Yuba-Sutter area to build their life together. After raising their family, Pat rekindled her love of theater and enrolled at Yuba College, where she appeared in 15 productions under the direction of David Wheeler. Later, as secretary at Lincoln Elementary School in Yuba City, Pat collaborated with teacher Dexter Black to direct children’s shows after school.

In 1983, Pat joined forces with Dexter Black and Curt Schroeder to co-found The Acting Company. She went on to direct the children’s productions at the Prune Festival in 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1995. Over the years, Pat has directed 30 plays and acted in 50 productions.

Her contributions have earned widespread recognition. In 2007, she received the Don Award for Excellence in Community Theater. She is also a two-time ELLY Award winner for Outstanding Achievement, with additional ELLY nominations including two for Director of Children’s Theater and three for Leading Actress.

From 2011 through 2024, Pat brought her creative skills to The Acting Company’s marketing efforts, designing posters, programs, and publicity materials. Her dedication, talent, and lifelong love for theater continue to inspire audiences and fellow artists alike. 

Foster’s love of theatre began early with her mother in her hometown of Aspen,

Colorado. She has been involved with TAC since 1992 on both sides of the lights as a board member and officer, actress, director, costume and properties mistress and set designer. Her work has won regional acclaim, garnering her 18 Sacramento Area Regional Theater Alliance’s Elly Award nominations, winning the award twice for Best Actress. Currently Foster is teaching how to create the magic of theater to our future stars through a partnership with Yuba City Charter School Afterschool and Summer Drama Programs.

Neil F. Thorson, originally from Kiester, Minnesota (really!) has lived, worked and retired in the Yuba City area for almost 35 years. He worked in professional theater all over California. His TAC credits started in 1991 with "The Nerd" and yes, of course, he was the nerd. Neil played Norman to Pat Hill's Ethel 22 years ago in On Golden Pond and is pleased to do so again. He says this time he did not have to act old.

Sharon has been involved with TAC for about 30 years since her daughter, Emily, auditioned for Lil’ Abner. They both ended up on stage! Since then, Sharon has been in several plays. She has been a stage manager and worked backstage for many productions – sewing and mending costumes, helping build and decorate sets, and gathering props and set pieces. In fact, many of her clothes, shoes, furniture and decor have had more stage time than she has! You might also see her as House Manager in the lobby. She has served on the TAC Board of Directors for 27 years.