CALIFORNIA

OPENS FEBRUARY 26th!!

WRITTEN by Trish Harnetiaux
DIRECTED by Claire Dahlhauser

A family road trip takes an unexpected turn when, in the dark of night, on the plains of eastern Oregon. . .  reality splits.

WSSR takes another left turn with "California," a play that takes place entirely inside a car. Join us for this unique immersive experience that blends a quirky family comedy with the eerie darkness surrounding a long abandoned nuclear facility. 

Directed by Claire Dahlhauser, this intimate production explores the humor and power of family bonds in a world where the map keeps rewriting itself. Claire's credits include Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer (Starlight Theatre) and Macbeth (Starlight Shakes) and she recently served as assistant director for last season's production of POTUS at WSSR. 

TICKETS

PUBLIC ACCESS TICKETS

Free Public Access Tickets are available for reservation starting 1 week prior to show time:

THU Feb 19th, 2026

EARLY ACCESS TICKETS

Early Access Tickets are available to Members now with a WSSR Membership.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TRISH HARNETIAUX

Trish Harnetiaux is a playwright, filmmaker and podcast creator. Her narrative podcast The MS Phoenix Rising, about the relaunch of the cruise ship industry, is available on Playwrights Horizons Soundstage. She's developing the TV pilot this summer through The Orchard Project's Episodic Lab.

Current plays include Bender and Brian, a subversive tale of Breakfast Club fanfiction (pandemic delayed, forthcoming JACK), and California (Clubbed Thumb commission). She directed and co-wrote the short film You Wouldn't Understand, which was an official selection of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.

She’s developed and presented work at Playwrights Horizons, Soho Rep, Ars Nova, Clubbed Thumb, New Georges, JACK and more. She has been a resident at MacDowell, Millay, SPACE at Ryder Farm and Yaddo. Ars Nova Play Group, Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab.

MFA in playwriting from Brooklyn College. She published a Christmas thriller novel with Simon & Schuster in 2019, White Elephant. She teaches in the Queens University of Charlotte Low Residency M.F.A program. Plays published by Samuel French: Tin Cat Shoes, How to Get into Buildings, Welcome to the White Room, If You Can Get to Buffalo. www.trishharnetiaux.com

PUBLIC ACCESS THEATER

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THEATER…

Here’s how it works:

1. We make all of our tickets FREE

2. You help us do it by DONATING

This simple, yet powerful approach makes sure everyone can attend!

DONATE

Although tickets are free, it still costs $10,000 - $20,000 to put on one our shows.

Part of our budget goes to the actors, some of whom work for over 120 hours.

If you Become a Member or Add A Donation to your free tickets, you will support Public Access Theater and help us make sure everyone in our community can come to the show!

BECOME A MEMBER

When you become a WSSR Member, you are partnering with us to support Public Access Theater and make sure everyone can come to the show!

With a WSSR Membership, you can reserve more than 2 tickets at a time!

Plus, you get things like early access to tickets, guaranteed seats, WSSR merch, invites to special events, and more!

CONTENT INFO

Running Time: 70 minutes

California is appropriate for teen and adult audiences. Profanity. 

For specific information about the content, please contact us.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN

Children age 5+ are welcome at the WSSR as long as they sit quietly and watch the show. If your child becomes a distraction, you may be asked to step outside. 

Children under the age of 5 will not be admitted

For more info please visit wssr.org/planyourvisit

ACCESSIBILITY

WSSR has an open single-level layout with no ramps or stairs. Our theater seats are moveable and can easily accommodate wheelchairs. When reserving tickets, let us know your needs and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

For more info please visit wssr.org/planyourvisit

HEALTH SAFETY

If you aren’t feeling well or are experiencing symptoms of illness, please stay home.