Sonder Theatre Company Casts 'It's a Wonderful Life' Stage Production at Covina Center for the Performing Arts

Sonder Theatre Company is now casting its upcoming stage production of 'It's a Wonderful Life,' the beloved holiday classic set for a limited run at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts in Covina, California. With rehearsals and production scheduled from October 19 through December 5, 2026, the company is actively seeking ensemble talent and theatre production professionals for what promises to be one of the San Gabriel Valley's signature holiday events of the season. For actors, designers, and stage crew based in the greater Los Angeles area, this is a well-timed opportunity to get in front of the creative team early.

Christina Harris is serving triple duty on this production as Artistic Director, Director, and Casting Director, which means all creative and casting decisions flow directly through her. That kind of centralized creative leadership is common at mid-sized regional theatre companies and signals a close-knit, creatively unified production environment. Harris's hands-on approach to casting suggests she is likely holding open auditions or direct submissions in the near term, and anyone interested in being considered should move quickly to make contact. Matthew Herrmann serves as Managing Director, handling the organizational and operational side of the production. The division between Harris's artistic leadership and Herrmann's administrative role is a healthy structural setup for a company of this scale.

Sonder Theatre Company is the producing organization behind this production, presenting the show at the Covina Center for the Performing Arts, a well-regarded presenting venue in the City of Covina within the San Gabriel Valley region east of Los Angeles. The Covina Center hosts a range of performing arts programming throughout the year and provides a professional stage environment suited for full-scale theatrical productions. For theatre professionals based in the LA metro area, the location is a practical commute from most parts of the region, and the production is likely to draw from the deep pool of stage talent that calls greater Los Angeles home.

The production runs from mid-October through early December 2026, framing it squarely as a holiday season offering. That timeline suggests technical rehearsals will ramp up in late October, with the show likely opening in early-to-mid November ahead of the Thanksgiving and Christmas windows. For designers and stage technicians, that means pre-production work on sets, costumes, lighting, and sound design would logically begin in the weeks and months prior to the October 19 start date. Given where the production sits right now, department heads in scenic design, costume design, lighting design, and sound design are likely among the first hires being considered alongside the casting process.

As a stage adaptation of the Frank Capra film classic, 'It's a Wonderful Life' carries significant production design demands. The story spans multiple locations within the fictional town of Bedford Falls, from the Bailey Building and Loan to Martini's Bar to the bridge where George contemplates the unthinkable. Depending on the production's approach, that scope can call for versatile unit set design, substantial prop and dressing inventory, and period-appropriate costuming reflecting small-town American life in the 1940s. The ensemble-driven format described in the production notes also suggests a cast of meaningful size, making this a real opportunity for a range of actors at various career stages. Stage managers and assistant stage managers should also be on alert, as an ensemble holiday production of this scope typically requires strong stage management support from early rehearsals through closing night.

For the full production listing including contact information, casting submission details, and scheduling updates as they become available, visit ProductionList.com. The production is actively in the casting phase right now, which means the window to be considered is open. Bookmark the listing and check back regularly as the creative team finalizes its roster heading into fall 2026.

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