Padua Hills Theatre — The Mexican Players
Behind the Scenes

loscalifornios.org — Site Map
Home Page for Padua Hills Theatre: The Mexican Players
The Historic Physical Setting
The People — Los paduanos
The Musicians — Los músicos
The Dancers — Los bailadores
Padua Hills Plays
“Las Posadas”
“California Romance”
Behind the Scenes
The Vera Family Account
The Physical Setting Today
Other Padua Hills Resources
Related Padua Hills Links

Photo attributed to Irene Welch Garner Los californios® Collection Historic Postcard — Patio at Padua Hills Theatre

This is a work continually in progress, which relies upon participation from visitors. If you have material (or usable scans of that material) that you would like to contribute to the effort, please communicate with us at info@loscalifornios.com.

Behind the scenes at Padua Hills Theatre many people worked together to make it all work. Does your family have stories or pictures about that experience?

I just stumbled across the Padua Hills web site and thought I would add what minimal information I have, although it is not about any of the players. My mother, Agnes Rose, was a laundry/wardrobe employee at Padua Hills in the early 50’s along with Lucille Lopez. I often went to work with her and remember a background artist named Carlos. If I ever knew his last name I don’t remember it. I do remember that I thought he painted beautiful pictures, and he was very kind and patient with a little kid. The cooks were great also, letting me hang around the kitchen and grab snacks. If anyone remembers Carlos, I would appreciate hearing about him. I really loved going to work with my mom, and have nothing but good memories of Padua Hills. Isabelle Green

People who attended performances also have left behind stories of how they were impacted by Padua Hills Theatre:

When my mother passed away 10 years ago, she left hundreds of love letters which she wrote to my father when they were dating. Some letters were to others, some to and from my grandparents. I have taken on the task of transferring these letters to computer printed so they can be read. I’m the only one who can read my parents and grandparents handwriting and when I pass on (I’m 62), no one else will take the time to do this. I just typed a letter from my grandmother, who lived in Santa Ana, to my father, who was traveling around the world at the time. Here is the portion re. Padua Hills: Nov. 26th, 1937 “Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day. We went to a very unique and interesting place for dinner. It is called Padua Hills, back of Claremont, a Mexican colony. Very high class. Beautiful young girls and boys. They sang their native songs and danced the native dances in costume. It has much atmosphere. When you return, we will go up there some Sunday for dinner. I’m sure you will love it.” I also grew up in Santa Ana and can remember my parents taking me there when I was a young girl. Thought you’d like this bit of memory. Linda Hayes Carlsbad, CA

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If your family has recollections of Padua Hills Theatre that you would like to share on this web site, please contact Los californios® at info@loscalifornios.com.   © Vykki Mende Gray, 2007   All rights reserved.    Los californios® is a registered trademark   belonging to San Diego Friends of Old-Time Music, Inc.,   a California non-profit corporation.