In September 2025, the Weekly published a story presenting the case that there’s time in the history of cultural institutions when the founders must pass the baton to a new generation of leaders. Paper Wing Theatre and Supper Club in Monterey was described as one example. After running the theater for 20 years, couple Koly McBride (the founder and the CEO) and LJ Brewer (associate producer) tapped a younger couple to gradually inherit their management responsibilities.
They hired project manager/associate producer Justin Gaudoin (an actor, singer, vocal teacher) and his wife, Sarah Gaudoin (a former dancer, choreographer, photographer and filmmaker), both locals, now married, who met on a local stage. The idea was for the Gaudoins to lead the company forward.
The two generations were working hand in hand throughout late 2025 and into early 2026, but not even a year after announcing the succession plan, the Gaudoins confirm they no longer work for the company, even if Justin Gaudoin is scheduled to play Count Dracula in Dracula: The Comedy of Terrors that opens at Paper Wing on Friday, Aug. 28. (None of the parties involved responded to the Weekly’s request to comment.)
Paper Wing has just announced its 2027 season and is holding auditions, slated for 10am-2pm on Sept. 19 and 20 at the Monterey venue.
The theater’s current season is wrapping up; the final show is the annual Halloween-season presentation of The Rocky Horror Show (Oct. 9-31). Next year, the audience can choose between such hits as Schoolhouse Rock Live! (April 2-May 1) and a punk rock musical Lizzie: The Musical (Aug. 20-Sept. 12).
Paper Wing Theatre was founded in 1992 by McBride, who came to the area from L.A. Before it found its current home on Cannery Row and became a restaurant and supper club as well, the theater was housed on Hoffman Avenue in New Monterey. Currently, it’s located at 711 Cannery Row, upstairs in Suite I.