Musical Theatre Village is a community theater in Irvine serving Southern Orange County. For over 25 years, MTV has presented six family-oriented musical plays each year, showcasing the talents of members of our community which include individuals and family groups - brothers, sisters, moms, dads, cousins, and friends - all working together to create wholesome and reasonably priced family entertainment. We feature actors in an inclusive theater environment for all, regardless of gender, age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religion. At MTV, we believe in nurturing and encouraging young talent, which is why we have a leadership program for our 13 year old actors called the Royal Court. They take on leadership roles at MTV and also open each performance with a welcome to the audience. Our theater is open to all based on age and gives experience in responsibility, public speaking and teamwork. Students who grow up with MTV as a home away from home learn time management by balancing school and theater. We are proud to offer two scholarships to high school seniors each year, further supporting our commitment to nurturing talent and providing opportunities for growth in the arts. We also welcome retirees, professionals and special needs actors on our stage. Many find a home at MTV, where they can express themselves and showcase their talent in a safe and supportive environment. We are delighted to offer special needs groups an outing that is safe and friendly, and senior citizens can enjoy our performances for a reasonable ticket price. We entertain approximately 7000 audience members each year and we have a total of between 600-700 cast members who call Musical Theatre Village their home away from home. MTV is more than just a theater, it's a community that values inclusivity, diversity, and the power of the arts to bring people together. We look forward to continuing to serve Southern Orange County for many more years to come!
Meet the Owner
Denise Fenton
In 2005, Denise was named “Arts Beat Art Person of the Year” and in 2017, Denise was named one of Irvine’s “Outstanding Supporter of Prevention” by the Irvine Prevention Coalition. This award was given to Denise for creating a safe environment for teenagers for so many years.
Our founder, Denise Fenton, a veteran of over 250 shows, has a Bachelor’s degree from CSU Fullerton in History and a teaching credential from CSU San Bernardino. All her friends went “off to Broadway”, but Denise stayed here to be practical and be a teacher! Her first year teaching, she saw that the kids “needed something” to counteract the gangs and drugs prevalent in San Bernardino. So, she started an after school drama program, where she produced and directed “Once Upon a Mattress” with 7th and 8th graders at a local intermediate school. It was a huge success, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Denise later tired of the commute to San Bernardino, so she started a theater here in beautiful Irvine, a place where families could do theater together. With over 25 successful seasons, she has directed hundreds of shows the theatre has produced and, with luck, will keep going strong for many more.