Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutP1 - Balboa Performing Arts TheaterTHE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION What will the Balboa Theater be? An invitation to create a place for the spirit, the uplifting, the outrageous, the jolly, the profound... The Balboa Performing Arts Theater is designed to be a gracious 350 -seat proscenium auditorium with full production capabilities. The renovated building will undoubtedly improve the ambiance and charm of the Balboa Village neighborhood and allow it to become, once again, an Orange County landmark. But it is the activities that will happen inside the building that will define its position in the cultural, social and educational landscape of southern California. The Balboa Performing Arts Theater will be a gathering place, providing its audiences with a balance of theater, music, dance and cinema to encourage laughter, tears, questions, answers, memories and dreams. It will be an intimate space where performers and audience can easily see and hear each other, to share the words, sounds, sights and ideas of familiar and classical artists, as well as of more challenging, cutting edge artists. It will be a place where: • Jumping, twisting, whirling dancers like those of the acclaimed Momiz company can stage a game of baseball to rival any major league team, or don lanky pieces of wood and ski across the stage (how do they do that?). Musicians can celebrate Stan Kenton's jazz classics, or the rock -n -roll hits of Elvis Presley and the Righteous Brothers, or the decade-defining songs of Simon and Garfunkel and James Taylor, or the ageless strains of Bach, Vivaldi and the generations of classical composers who followed them. Genuine giants of music — Bo Diddley, Joe Cocker, Harry Belafonte, Mark O'Connor, Gil Shahom, Aretha Franklin — could appear. • Audiences can hear familiar voices from film and stage like Hal Holbrook, Lynn Redgrave, or Roscoe Lee Browne ellicit their laughter and tears as a playwright's words echo their own stories or draw their understanding and sympathy. The hilarious Reduced Shakespeare Company can send up the Bard and actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company can glorify him. The great tradition of American theater from Arthur Miller to Moss Hart, energetic comedies from Congreve and Sheridan, heart- breaking stories from King Lear to The Glass Menagerie, will remind us of our community and shared spirit. • Independent, foreign and classic films can provide an alternative to first -run fare in festivals or Balboa Cinema presentations. Films like The Snapper to make us laugh, Cinema Paradiso and Ran to make us cry, Singing in the Rain to make us dance, and Vertigo to make us scared! • Children, with their teddy bears, can sit on the stage around a professional storyteller or puppeteer whose artistry will let their imaginations soar. They could enjoy the magic wooden actors of Jim Gamble, the stunts of the Gizmo Brothers, or the tales of Hunk -Ta- Bunk -Ta. • Important new stories will be told in the intimacy of the Balboa Theater, encouraging blossoming new talent or allowing established playwrights to stretch their wings. • We, our children, and our parents, can have a place to explore all the facets of the performing arts in classes, workshops, lectures, tours, camps and festivals. • Professional dancers, musicians and actors can conduct master classes and seminars, or visit senior centers and hospitals to bring their performances to those who cannot attend the theater. • Our local performing arts groups can have a professional venue for their work, an invaluable learning tool to refine and expand the craft and scope of young artists. • Matinee films can once again keep young boys and girls, and those less young, enthralled with the magic of Errol Flynn's Robin Hood, Shirley Temple, The Marx Brothers, and Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp. The Balboa Performing Arts Theater, in an area remarkable for its diverse cultural opportunities and eager patrons, can become a major element in the regional, if not national, arts horizon. It can be a place where artists aspire to perform, where students watch and learn from the best, where tastes are shaped and preconceptions are shattered, where we can share the cultural vision of artists from around the nation and around the world. The intimacy and production capabilities of the John and Donna Crean Hall will allow the Balboa Performing Arts Theater to touch its audiences, to challenge their beliefs, to celebrate their heritage and to affect their lives. That's what art can do. THE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION Our Mission The Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation is a non -profit organization dedicated to renovating and operating the historic Balboa Theater in Newport Beach, California, as an intimate venue for performing arts, film, and community activities to meet the needs of the surrounding Orange County area. The theater will become a destination -point that celebrates the unique charm of the 1920's California coast and serves as a catalyst for the cultural and economic re -birth of Balboa Village. The intent of the Foundation is to create and program an artistic jewel on the Balboa Peninsula where audiences will enjoy superlative performances of theater, musical theater, dance, classical and jazz music, cinema and children's fare. The programming strategy is to provide arts experiences that will provoke laughter, tears, questions, perhaps answers, memories, and lively entertainment for audiences of all ages. Attention will be given to presenting a balance of well -known artists, classics in dramatic, choreographic and musical literature, and cutting edge artists developing the classics of the future. With an audience capacity of 350, the Balboa Performing Arts Theater will attract audiences who value the intimacy and atmosphere of sharing in the personal and communal act of performing art. Foundation History In 1995, Dayna Pettit, Ronald Baers, Steve Bromberg, Bill Wren and others formed the non -profit Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation to save the crumbling 1927 theater from eventual demolition. This group of concerned citizens has worked diligently to raise funds and public awareness of the potential value of a vibrant cultural center in Balboa Village. The City of Newport Beach purchased the building in 1998 and leased it to the Foundation for 25 years under the direction to renovate and operate it as a performing arts venue. The Foundation is now guided by a Board of Directors of eleven members, with three active support guilds and over 4,500 donors and supporters. Community Support Community interest in the re -birth of the popular Balboa Theater is matched by a strong public desire to reinvigorate the entire Balboa Village neighborhood. Over $500,000 has been raised by the Foundation through special events and contributions from local businesses and private individuals. The City of Newport Beach's purchase of the theater for $480,000 brings the total amount raised to just under $1 million. In November 1999, a capital campaign was launched to raise the remaining funds necessary for renovation of the building and to create a programming endowment. John and Donna Crean became the first donors to that campaign with a gift of $1 million. Their remarkable generosity will be acknowledged with the naming of the auditorium, John and Donna Crean Hall. The campaign continues with naming opportunities for major gifts. A second element of the campaign is the "2000 in 2000 Project," offering lobby recognition for gifts of $1,000. The goal of this project is to encourage 2000 gifts of $1,000 in the year 2000. The image for this project is a large puzzle, with each $1,000 gift representing an important piece of the puzzle. These gifts will be acknowledged in the theater lobby. The third element of the capital campaign is the "Best Seat in the House" Program, offering plaques with donor inscriptions on the arms of each seat in the theater. Plaques are available at the $750 and $500 levels. Finally, a support guild, The Divas of the Balboa Theater, was launched in June 1999 tc raise funds and offer social activities for families. The Divas currently have 120 members and have contributed over $8,000 to the renovation effort. Re- construction Progress Birtcher Construction Services has agreed to donate their project management services throughout the construction process. The acclaimed architectural engineering firm, Holmes & Narver, has similarly donated their design services. The building has undergone seismic retrofitting and theater consultants are currently developing the best design to accommodate both live performance and film. The design team has been charged to retain as much of the theater's original architectural style and charm as possible, especially throughout the sidewalk entrance and lobby areas. The design concept for the auditorium will incorporate modern technology required for music, dance and theater performances with vintage design suggestions in seating, wall treatments and house lighting. The theater will be compliant with all ADA requirements. Current configurations estimate the theater will contain 350 seats. Preliminary estimates place the cost of renovating the Balboa Theater between $2 and $3 million, in addition to the funds held in reserve by the Board. THE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION Fact Sheet • The renovated Balboa Theater will feature 10,368 square feet on a footprint of 5,100. Lobby, auditorium and stage are on one level; dressing room, patron restrooms, and multi- purpose room on the lower level. The building is owned by the City of Newport Beach and is on lease to the Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation for 25 years. • Seismic retrofitting is complete. Ground - breaking for the renovation is scheduled for Spring 2000 with an anticipated Grand Reopening in late 2000. • The theater will accommodate both live performances and cinema, with automated projection equipment for film and video. The Foundation plans to present outstanding performances in theater, music, dance, children's programs, and film. The theater will also be offered for use by local performing arts groups and for rentals. • The auditorium will hold 350 seats in a tiered structure with superlative sightlines and acoustics. No seat will be further than 60 feet from the stage. • The theater will be fully compliant with all ADA requirements for both patron amenities and artist/technician accommodations. Patron hearing assistance will be available. • The stage will be dead -hung, with full rigging capabilities over approximately 708 square feet. Stage depth is 21 feet from upstage wall to proscenium, with an apron of 7 feet. • Dressing room will accommodate 12 make -up spaces, two principal dressing rooms, men's and women's restrooms, shower facility and costume storage. • The projected cost of the renovation is $4.3 million, of which $3 million must still be raised. A gift of $1 million was received from John & Donna Crean whose name will be acknowledged on the auditorium. The Foundation has raised over $1 million since beginning in 1996, fimds which have been applied to purchase the building, implement seismic retrofitting, and general business start-up costs. • Operating proposals for the Balboa Performing Arts Theater estimate an annual budget of $500,000 with a 45/55 unearned/eamed income ratio. The renovation plan was designed by a team of specialists led by the architects of Holmes & Narver and the construction professionals at Birtcher Construction Services (both companies have donated their services). Key personnel include: Craig Smith, Bill Keane and Tom Horan at Holmes & Narver. Andrew Youngquist, Jim Lefler and Kevin Mann at Birtcher. Tom Ruzika (lighting and rigging) of The Ruzika Company. Bill Dohn (acoustics) of Dohn & Associates. Carol Goldwater (seating design) of American Seating, Inc. John Feinstein (audio equipment design). Theater consultant John von Szelisky generously donated his time to advise and guide our consultants team. • The theater gratefully enjoys the support of the Divas of the Balboa Theater, a guild formed to raise funds and public appreciation of the Balboa Performing Arts Theater. • The Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation is a non -profit 501(c)(3) organization guided by a volunteer Board of Directors. • Its federal tax identification number is 33- 0710911. THE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION Balboa Theater History Mr. J.P. Greeley built the first Balboa Theater in 1913 at 1 I 1 Main Street. It was rented to Frank Rhinehart, who received a license to operate on July 7, 1913. In 1920, Rhinehart transferred his license to Mr. W.A. Osgood and his wife, known by her stage name of Madame LaRue, who managed the Balboa Theater until 1928. At that time, Mr. Greeley regained control of the building and transformed it into an amusement arcade. Mindfiil of public interest in theater, he built the prestigious Ritz Theater from the ashes of the recently -burned Rendezvous Ballroom just around the comer from the first Balboa Theater, on the site of the theater today. When the Ritz Theater opened its doors, it was considered one of the most advanced, state -of -the -art theatrical facilities for vaudeville and small theater productions. The Ritz Theater, which housed an infamous speakeasy during Prohibition, became a well -known meeting spot for local society and Hollywood stars. In 1939, the name changed to The Balboa Theater and its emphasis turned to film. A new Ritz Theater was built on neighboring Lido Peninsula known today as the Lido Theater. Throughout the 1960's, The Balboa Theater with 400 -plus seats, an attractive cultural ambiance, architectural charm and inviting decor, catered to a strong market of dating couples and social groups. In the early 1970's The Balboa Theater survived several different proprietors experimenting with a variety of entertainment options, including a few years as a Pussy Cat Theater. By the mid -70's, the theater had become popular as a revival film house, featuring such classics as "Casablanca" and "Citizen Kane." During this period, the theater showcased midnight runs of the cult film, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," attracting throngs of costumed patrons. The theater continued this type of programming until it closed in 1992. The Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation was formed in 1996 to renovate and re- open the theater as a performing arts venue, presenting theatre, music and dance performances. The Foundation will also honor the heritage of the Balboa Theater by offering classic, foreign and independent films and community activities. The Balboa Performing Arts Theater is scheduled to open in Autumn 2000. THE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION Foundation Goals To raise the funds necessary to renovate and reopen The Balboa Theater as a performing arts center for Newport Beach and greater Orange County. To oversee the design and construction process, ensuring the finished building will retain the architectural charm and intimacy of the original Balboa Theater while incorporating state -of- the -art theater technology for superlative and memorable arts experiences. To raise $300,000 in capital reserves for general operating expenses for The Balboa Theater's first season. To establish annual fund- raising events and campaigns to financially support the continuing operations of The Balboa Theater. To provide corporate and private sponsors with the opportunity to participate directly in supporting a performing arts center for the families of our community, with regional exposure to recognize their generosity. To maintain the status and visibility of The Balboa Theater as a historical landmark and one of the oldest theaters in Orange County. THE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION Board of Directors 1999 -2000 Dayna Pettit, President Agent, Cannery Village Realty Steven Bromberg, V.P. & General Counsel Partner, Bromberg & Yaeger Jo King, Secretary Agent, Prudential California Realty Yaron Telem, Treasurer, CPA Bill Wren, V.P. & Chief Financial Officer Chevron Land & Development Co., retired Ronald L. Baers, President, Planning & Urban Design Resources Douglas Boyd, Community Leader Art Grousky, Community Leader Ken Honig, President, Honig Investment Co. Britta Pulliam, Britta's Cafd, Owner Patti Tomaselli, Director, Balboa Peninsula Point Association Sue Cannon, OC Public Relations Producer, Divas of the Balboa Theater Michele Roberge, Executive Director Advisory Board Members Louis Tomaselli, chair Sr. Vice President, Voit Commercial Brokerage Stanley J. Kafka Executive Vice President, City National Bank Craig B. Smith President, Holmes & Narver Tod White Capital Campaign Major Sponsor Opportunities The restoration and reopening of the historic Balboa Theater to present superlative performances in theater, music, dance, and film is a major undertaking. The City of Newport Beach, many local businesses and private citizens have encouraged the project with support and substantial financial assistance. The vision of resurrecting this unique piece of Orange County history as a landmark in the region's cultural arts landscape again has galvanized public awareness and enthusiasm. We now look to our community, individuals and businesses, to join us in raising an additional $2.5 million to complete the renovation of the theater building. To acknowledge significant capital campaign support, we are honored to offer these levels of sponsorship benefits and recognition: Main Lobby Name — "Blank Lobby" featured on a plaque at the entrance to the theater. Designed to accommodate a gracious vestibule, inside box office window, and a spacious social area, the lobby may be used for receptions before or after performances, and art exhibits. This donor will enjoy 8 (eight) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, 4 (four) seats for the private Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, VIP notification for all theater events, be invited to join the Advisory Board, back cover advertising in the Gala program, and lobby Donor Wall listing in perpetuity. $500,000 Projection Room — The "Blank Projection Booth," located at the back of the house, provides a spacious film projection facility as well as lighting console and sound console. This area is sound -proof and communicates with front -of -house and backstage personnel via headphones. Handicapped access to the projection booth is via elevator in the box office. This gift will be acknowledged with a plaque near the Projection Booth door. This donor will enjoy 8 (eight) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, 2 (two) seats for the Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, VIP notification for all theater events, be invited to join the Advisory Board, inside front cover advertising in the Gala program, and lobby Donor Wall listing in perpetuity. $250,000 Stage and Backstage Areas — The "Blank Stage" will be acknowledged with a plaque in the auditorium near the proscenium as well as one at the stage door entrance. The stage features a 16' tall proscenium with an 8' apron, 19' from upstage wall. The stage will be dead hung, with a rigging system to accommodate lighting and soft goods including cyc, scrim and flexible masking. This donor will enjoy 8 (eight) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, 2 (two) seats for the Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, VIP notification for all theater events, be invited to join the Advisory Board, inside back cover advertising in the Gala program, and lobby Donor Wall listing in perpetuity. $250,000 Lower Lobby — The "Blank Lobby" will be acknowledged with a plaque at the foot of the stairs leading into the lower lobby. Featuring patron restrooms, we anticipate the lower lobby will be a popular area for mingling and may be available for art exhibits. This donor will enjoy 6 (six) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, 2 (two) seats for the Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, VIP notification for all theater events, full -page advertising in the Gala program, and lobby Donor Wall listing in perpetuity. $200,000 Founding Donors — Donors whose gifts to the general building fund reach $150,000 will be acknowledged as Founding Donors in the lobby Donor Wall. Founding Donors will be invited to sit on the Advisory Board, will receive 4 (four) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, 2 (two) seats for the Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, full -page advertising in the Gala program, and VIP notification for all theater events. Premiere Donors -- Donors whose gifts to the general building fund reach $100,000 will be acknowledged as Premiere Donors in the lobby Donor Wall. Premiere Donors will be invited to sit on the Advisory Board, will receive 4 (four) complimentary VIP tickets for the Reopening Gala, 2 (two) seats for the Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, full -page advertising in the Gala program, and VIP notification for all theater events. Major Donors -- Donors whose gifts to the general building fund reach $50,000 will be acknowledged as Major Donors in the lobby Donor Wall. Major Donors will be invited to sit on the Advisory Board, will receive 4 (four) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, 2 (two) seats for the Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, half -page advertising in the Gala program, and VIP notification for all theater events. Special Donors — Donors whose gifts to the general building fund reach $25,000 will be acknowledged as Special Donors on lobby Donor Wall. Special Donors will be invited to sit on the Advisory Board, will receive 2 (two) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, 2 (two) seats for the Founders Preview Dinner before reopening, quarter -page advertising in the Gala program, and VIP notification for all theater events. Community Donors -- Donors whose gifts to the general building fund reach $10,000 will be acknowledged on the top tiers of specially - designed bricks in the theater lobby. Community Donors will receive 2 (two) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, business -card advertising in the Gala program, and VIP notification for all theater events. Sponsors -- Donors whose gifts to the general building fund reach $5,000 will be acknowledged on specially- designed bricks in the theater lobby. Sponsors will receive 2 (two) complimentary VIP tickets to the Reopening Gala, listing in the Gala program, and VIP notification for all theater events. THE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION 2000 In 2000 for the Balboa Performing Arts Theater To mark the new millenium with the rebirth of a 20`h- century Newport Beach landmark, we invite 2000 people to make a gift of $1000 and support the dream of a reborn Balboa Performing Arts Theater to benefit the entire Orange County community. The dawn of a new millenium is a rare event. To rebuild a historic theater on the Newport coast is also a rare opportunity. We invite 2000 people — people who love Newport Beach - people who love the arts - people who want to improve their community - to support the theater with a gift of $1000. Your gift, together with those of 1999 other friends of the theater, will help to make this theater happen. Each $1000 donor's name will be permanently listed on the donor wall in the theater lobby. Larger gifts are also necessary to complete the theater and will be acknowledged in a major architectural element in the lobby. Call Michele Roberge at (949) 673 -0895 for more information. THE BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION The Best Seat in the House Program The Best Seat in the House Program provides a unique chance to become an enduring part of the renovation of the Balboa Performing Arts Theater. Each seat will display a plaque on its armrest engraved with donors' names or special phrase. These plaques will permanently acknowledge your belief in the importance of the theater to our community. Donors choose their inscriptions and, when possible, the location of the sponsored seats. Samples of inscriptions: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith and Family John & Mary Smith Sally, Ted & Robert To the memory of Jane Smith grandmother and arts lover To John Smith in honor of his Graduation, June 2000 Let the applause begin! The XYZ Corporation Seat sponsorship does not guarantee performance seating in those, or any other, seats in the theater. Admittance to all performances requires additional tickets. There are two levels of seat sponsorship, orchestra (first five rows) seating at the $750 level and balcony (remaining 11 rows) seating at $500. Please call Michele Roberge at (949) 673 -0895 for more information or to become a Balboa Theater Seat Sponsor.