The Emily Gates Performing Arts Center at dusk, with exterior lighting, trees, benches, and steps leading to glass entrance doors.
The Emily Gates Performing Arts Center entrance with ticket counter and glass doors, illuminated by overhead lights during dusk, with benches and greenery outside.
A theater with a stage where a group of children are rehearsing or performing. The auditorium has blue seats, wood-paneled walls, and ceiling, with overhead lighting and sound equipment. People are seated, watching the children.
The Emily Gates Performing Arts Center stage with music stands and chairs, view from the stage looking out towards rows of seats and a balcony with sound and lighting equipment, blue curtains framing the stage.
Exterior view of Emily Gates Performing Arts Center with trees, a lamppost, and a garden in the foreground on a cloudy day.
The Emily Gates Performing Arts Center with rows of blue cushioned chairs, wooden accents on the walls and ceiling, and a large screen at the front with blue lighting.
Exterior view of the Emily Gates Performing Arts Center with trees in the foreground and people walking in the area on a sunny day.
The Emily Gates Performing Arts Center stage and a glass window between the audience and the stage, a man is walking behind the glass.

The Emily Gates Performing Arts Center is the home of San Marin Performing Arts — a dedicated theater where students rehearse, perform, design, build, and bring productions to life.


Opened in 2021, the 221-seat venue gives San Marin High School students a professional-style space for concerts, plays, musicals, technical theater, and community events. The center was funded by Measure G and built to replace performances previously held in a less-equipped multipurpose space.

Built for Performance

The Emily Gates Performing Arts Center supports music, theater, technical arts, and community events in one flexible venue. The theater includes a large proscenium stage, programmable LED lighting, sound system, stage monitors, wireless microphones, projection screen, digital projector, and grand piano.

Behind the scenes, students have access to backstage support spaces including a greenroom, dressing room, make-up mirrors, and video monitor — giving performers and technical arts students a real production environment.

AT A GLANCE

Opened: 2021
Seating: 221 seats
Stage: Proscenium stage
Features: LED lighting, sound system, projection, grand piano
Backstage: Greenroom, dressing room, make-up mirrors, backstage bathroom
Front of House: Lobby, restrooms, ticket booth
Funded by: Measure G
Architect: Quattrocchi Kwok Architects

Address: 15 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA

About Emily Gates

The center is named in honor of Emily Gates, whose dedication to San Marin’s performing arts programs has shaped generations of students. Since 1980, she has supported choir, musical theatre, and pit orchestra at San Marin High School. Her name on the building reflects a lasting legacy of music, mentorship, and belief in the value of the arts.

Read Learn more about Mrs. Gates

The Linda Kislingbury Lobby

In recognition of her longtime dedication to San Marin Performing Arts, the lobby of the Emily Gates Performing Arts Center was named in her honor in 2021. Her continued involvement keeps her closely connected to the students, productions, and theater community she helped shape.

Learn more about Mrs. Kislingbury