About US

Our Story

Originally called The Hub Theater when it opened back in 1912, it was a genuine hub for the community. Today it is again a hub, a “people’s theatre” where everyone can come together in an intimate space, to imagine, to take risks, laugh out loud and begin to more deeply understand each other. We embrace and support all of our performing artists and our programs are designed to foster creative thinking outside the molds of our everyday lives.

Our company produces a season of theatre including both youth and all-ages in our casting. We also produce concerts, a weekly comedy show, master classes and workshops, fine art exhibitions and spoken word events. What is the common denominator? Creativity, reaching high, magic, and a driving interest in all people and the natural world around us. ,

HISTORY

Once Mill Valley had a Hub, a vaudeville and silent movie theatre that opened in 1912,. It was the heart of the town’s artistic life, where Charlie Chaplin appeared, and young Hattie Krausegill accompanied silent films on the piano and organ. Admission was 20 cents with Saturday matinees a bargain nickel. When the “talkies” took over at the newly built Sequoia in 1929, the Hub closed down. It was purchased by the Odd Fellows Lodge in the 1950’s and was a meeting hall for the Lodge who rented the space to the Mill Valley Film Festival (known then as Saturday Night Movies) in the 1970’s. The Lodge became the first home of the Festival.

In 1999 Lucy Mercer purchased and restored 142 Throckmorton Avenue and in 2002 founded Mill Valley LiveArts, the nonprofit organization that operates the business as 142 Throckmorton Theatre. Steve Coleman, who is the resident scenic artist, created glorious decorative murals and finishes to many of the public spaces including the main theatre walls and ceilings and the Tivoli Room studio theatre, while. Lucy took on the role of Artistic Director for the organization. Today the Theatre is a vibrant part of the Bay Area’s cultural life, as a magnet for top-notch performers, emerging talent and youth, and a creative force behind exciting new works, experiments and endeavors. We serve over 50,000 attendees and participants, and we are busy most days of the year producing theater, classical and contemporary music, comedy shows, festivals, after-school classes, workshops, master classes, chorus, dance and improv classes.