Cabrillo Music Theatre’s mission is to introduce the musical theatre experience directly to the socially, culturally, and economically diverse and underserved populations in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties.

About Cabrillo Music Theatre

Cabrillo Music Theatre is the Resident Musical Production Company at the Countrywide Performing Arts Center at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.  We produce our shows exclusively for the Kavli Theatre, the largest theatre between Los Angeles and San Francisco.  We are not a tour.  For over three decades, CMT has been enriching the cultural life of Ventura County and nearby Los Angeles County by providing an extraordinary performing arts experience through live musical theatre. Each year we fill the magnificent 1,800 seat Fred Kavli Theatre with over 50,000 patrons of the arts.  Cabrillo serves local and regional residents with vibrant, musical productions, which have included Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, A Chorus Line, The Wizard of Oz, and Annie.  CMT is a volunteer based company presenting professional caliber theatre.

Meet our President and Chief Executive Officer - Carole W. Nussbaum

An attorney at law, with a background in business, Carole W. Nussbaum comes to us from New York City where she was a passionate enthusiast of musical theatre. Carole’s previous experience has included working with leaders of Fortune 500 and large corporations including Revlon and Pepsico. She serves on the boards of many institutions including The Wharton School of Business (Zicklin Center for Business Ethics), The Alliance for the Arts, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Pepperdine University Board of Overseers, The Jewish Theological Seminary, and others. Carole is a published author and a recognized speaker. She is listed in The Heritage Registry of Who’s Who, Who’s Who in American Law, elected to the Ovation Awards Panel, and is the President of the Thousand Oaks Repertory Company. Carole served for many years as the Chairperson of the Board of the “Off Center Dance Theatre” in New York. She was awarded the Ben Gurion Humanitarian Award from the State of Israel, UJA-IEF. Carole served as a judge on a panel for the American Idol style Nashville Star in 2008, as well as on a panel of judges for the Richard Carpenter Scholarship program in 2006.

Meet our Artistic Director - Lewis Wilkenfeld

Lewis brings 27 years of theatre experience to his position as Artistic Director.  Lewis has directed twelve CMT shows during the last decade, including recent productions of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and The Music Man.  His production of Bye Bye Birdie! was named Ventura County’s Production Of The Year.  Additionally, Lewis’ work has won him a Drama Logue Award (The Wizard of Oz, starring Cathy Rigby), a Robby Award (Gypsy! at the Lawrence Welk Resort Theatre), and an AriZoni Award (Beauty and the Beast, Phoenix Theatre).   Production experience includes Long Beach Civic Light Opera, California Musical Theatre, and his own production company, Can’t Stand Still Productions.  Additional experience includes casting for film and television, teaching audition and acting technique in Southern California and around the country, and working in the development of new musicals for future productions.  A member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Actors’ Equity Assn., and on committee of the National Alliance of Musical Theatre, Lewis’ proudest “productions” are the two he shares with his wife, Serena: daughter Melody and son Jesse.

About Cabrillo Off-Stage

Cabrillo Off-Stage is an in-house group of resident performers.  This group carries the magic of Cabrillo through the season, performing at both community and private events.  If you are interested in booking Cabrillo Off-Stage for your next party or event, please call 805.497.8613 or email info@cabrillomusictheatre.com.

About Kabrillo Kids

Cabrillo Kids idebuted in the Summer of 2007 as Cabrillo’s traveling troupe of kid performers.  These youngsters have starred in numerous Cabrillo productions and have joined together to perform at community and private events.  If you are interested in booking Kabrillo Kids for your next party or event, please call 805.497.8613 or email info@cabrillomusictheatre.com.

The Adopt-A-School Program

In 2005, Cabrillo Music Theatre initiated the Adopt-A-School program that is designed to introduce underserved children in our region to the performing arts and theater-going experience.  The Adopt-A-School program serves Title I schools and other underserved children with families who participate in the free and reduced lunch program.  For each of our productions, CMT donates hundreds of tickets for the benefit of these children, many of whom have never before had the opportunity to enjoy live musical theatre. The value of this experience is best expressed by the children themselves – in the thankful letters that have been sent.  A child from Casa Pacifica, our resident Adopt-A-School that serves at risk children and adolescents said it this way:

This was my first real live play I’ve attended in all my life.  It was fun and I cannot wait till I go to another one.

-Sarah, Casa Pacifica child

To date, CMT has welcomed thousands of children to the Kavli Theatre to enjoy performances of our premier productions.

The Reachout Program

This season, we’ve initiated our new REACHOUT program with The Ronald McDonald House and other places with similar missions. We will bring the magic of live theatre to children whose health and other challenges preclude them from joining us at the theatre.

PET (Project Entertainment Troops) - The United States Navy

Cabrillo shares a strong relationship with the United States Naval Bases of Ventura County.  CMT donates thousands of tickets to active-duty military troops and their families so they may attend every production.

Adopt-A-Senior Program Makes Its Debut

In 2006 Cabrillo expanded its community outreach programs to include our Adopt-A-Senior program.  During its pilot run at A Chorus Line, Cabrillo brought in over 300 in-need and underserved seniors from community assisted living homes.  Through the Adopt-A-Senior program, CMT is empowered to make theatre accessible to underserved seniors (those who are aided by assisted living environments, skilled nursing homes, and/or home-bound seniors) who otherwise may never have the opportunity to see a live musical theatre performance.

Board of Directors

Carole W. Nussbaum, President and Chief Executive Officer, Resident of Westlake Village

Carole is an attorney at law who began her career protecting theatre and other non-profit groups as a prosecutor in the Not-For-Profit Charities Bureau of the New York State Attorney General’s Office.  She serves in various leadership positions on the boards of many universities and other non-profit organizations including: The Wharton School of Business (Zicklin Center for Business Ethics), The Alliance for the Arts, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Pepperdine University Board of Overseers, The Jewish Theological Seminary, and others.  She is listed in The Heritage Registry of Who’s Who, Who’s Who in American Law, elected to the Ovation Awards Panel, and is the President of the Thousand Oaks Repertory Company.  Carole served for many years as the Chairperson of the Board of the “Off Center Dance Theatre” in New York.  Carole was awarded the Commanding Officers Coin from the Ventura County Naval Base.  In 2006, Carole was awarded the Ben Gurion Humanitarian Award from the State of Israel, UJA-IEF.  In 2008, Carole served on a panel for the American Idol style Nashville Star, as well as on a panel of judges for the Richard Carpenter Scholarship program in 2006.  Carole is a member of “Scribes,” the Legal Writers of America, has co-authored seven books and more than 150 articles in the field of children’s rights and family law.  Carole is a former member of the faculty of the New York State Bar Association and for many years co-authored a monthly NY Law Journal column in family law.  Having been raised in New York City, Carole was raised on Broadway musicals and is a passionate enthusiast of musical theatre.  

Louis Klonsky, Treasurer, Resident of Bakersfield

Louis works as an Earth Scientist for Chevron and has been in the petroleum industry for over thirty years. Besides his affiliation with Cabrillo, Louis is President of the Pacific Section of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and served as a Board Member of the Kern County Science Foundation and MESA.  A native New Yorker, Louis developed a keen interest in the performing arts as a teenager and continues to actively support live performances in several communities.

Harmony McAuliffe, Secretary, Resident of Agoura Hills

Harmony McAuliffe formally began her career in the financial services business in June, 2005.  She had been exposed to the financial world all her life, being a daughter of a nationally known advisor.  Harmony is actively involved in client relations including communication, solution development and financial accounting.  Harmony became a licensed agent in February, 2007.  Harmony is also pursuing a business degree with a minor in accounting at C.S.U.C.I.

Janet Fukumoto, Board Member, Resident of Camarillo

Janet Fukumoto, Account Manager at Time Warner Media Sales, has worked in the entertainment industry for over 15 years and in the TV advertising field for 7 years assisting "local" businesses grow using the most powerful and persuasive advertising medium  - TV!  Janet began her career in Ventura County working as a sales assistant to the Vice President of Sales at Thomas Horton and Associates - a documentary production and distribution company in Ojai.   She then worked for KADY TV - Ventura County's only local "broadcast" TV station as a local advertising account executive.  Realizing that cable TV advertising offered the best opportunities for local businesses to increase their growth, Janet went to work for cable company, Adelphia Media Services.  In August of 2006, Adelphia Media Services was purchased by Time Warner - the largest media company in the world and second largest cable company in the nation.  TV advertising has proven time and again to bring greater awareness of business to its target audiences.

Neil G. McAuliffe, Board Member, Resident of Moorpark

Neil is the President of McAuliffe Financial Services, Inc. of Westlake Village.  Neil is a member of the Founders Circle of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Center for the Performing Arts.  Stacy is an interior designer and she owns Stacy’s Interior Motives, located in Moorpark. Neil and his wife Stacy are active members of the Ventura County community.   Neil and Stacy have three daughters, and make their home in Moorpark.  The family enjoys their involvement with Cabrillo Music Theatre and has been active supporters since 1999.

Meredith Nussbaum, Board Member, Resident of Westlake Village

Meredith Nussbaum will be receiving her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in May, 2008.  She is an Economics major and a Computer Science/ Engineering minor.  Meredith serves as a campus tour guide, is on the College Technology Advisory Board, and is the Executive Director of her dance team, Quaker Girls.  Meredith worked for a United Van Lines member, Finance Department, 2007 and 2006 and in financial operations for Cabrillo in 2005.  Meredith performed in Cabrillo's Beauty & The Beast in 2007 and brings her love for dance and theatre to the Board of Cabrillo. Upon graduating Penn, Meredith will be moving to Los Angeles to begin her career as a Business Analyst with McKinsey & Company.

Howard Leong, Board Member, Resident of Newbury Park

Howard is the owner of Golden Image Jewelers in Thousand Oaks and a well-known community leader.  He has been a long time Corporate Sponsor of Cabrillo Music Theatre. Howard and his family have been long time supporters of the arts in Ventura. 

Carrie Olesker, Board Member, Resident of Thousand Oaks

Carrie Olesker is a native of Los Angeles.  She earned her degree in early childhood education.  Carrie is Vice President of Architectural Detail Group, Inc., a full service firm specializing in custom lighting fixture design and functional detail development.  Carrie’s dedication to the community started in her teens when she was instrumental in founding a support group for Southern California families dealing with Multiple Sclerosis.  Carrie resides in Thousand Oaks, California, where she and her husband, Gerald, raise their daughter.

Gerald Olesker, Board Member, Resident of Agoura Hills

Gerald Olesker is the CEO and Founder of Architectural Detail Group, Inc., a full service firm specializing in custom lighting fixture design and functional detail development.  With a belief that architectural elements deserve high priority from concept to completion, ADG is involved in multiple facets of the design/manufacturing process.  Gerald is also involved with several charitable organizations, is an active member of the Institute for Classical Architecture and Young Entrepreneurs Organization.

Executive Advisory Board

Deborah J. Duclon,
President, Lightkeeper Productions

David Fischette,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Go West Events & Multimedia

Dr. Robert Goldman
Chairman, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine

Al Kasha,
Academy Award Winning Composer and Lyricist

Rebecca Kirschbaum,
Sr. Director, Corporate Relocation, ADP

Bruce Meikle,
Partner, The Capital Group Companies

Jeff Moxie,
Chief Financial Officer, Sunkist (Retired)

Paul Munick,
Sr. Vice President, Mohegan Suns, President, Connecticut Sun

Charlie Scatamacchia,
Vice President, Rodgers & Hammerstein

Ray Scherr,
Founder, Guitar Center, Inc., Janet and Ray Scherr Forum

Erik Stein,
Creative Director, Nature's Gate LLC

Production History