New Balboa Theater taking shape
Noaki Schwartz
BALBOA -- The Balboa Performing Arts Theatre Foundation is making great
strides toward reopening the theater this fall -- a goal that
incrementally increases just beyond reach.
This time, the price tag has grown to $4.3 million.
This figure raises the cost of the 350-seat theater renovation by another
$1 million. However, the initial estimates from when the project began
were unrealistic, said executive director Michele Roberge.
“At this point, the cost estimate is still fluid,” Roberge said. “The
plans and construction documents aren’t entirely finished.”
While the group has streamlined the undertaking -- by not using period
lighting for example -- unforeseen costs such as Americans with
Disabilities Act requirements and the discovery of water in the basement
of the building have significantly increased estimates.
Still, the foundation has already raised $2 million from donations and
shows no sign of slowing down its campaign. In the last month, Roberge
has requested 100 grant applications and has launched several
fund-raising projects. In addition, the Divas -- a support guild of 110
members -- is cementing plans to hold a swing dance and car raffle this
spring.
On Tuesday, foundation members continued in their effort to take their
presentation on the road in order to garner more local interest in the
project and donations.
They hosted a limited press conference with theater reviewers at
Oceanfront 21 Tuesday night. About 20 people came to the event, and
organizers said it yielded several donations -- one for as much as
$100,000.
During the evening, Foundation President Dayna Pettit and Roberge
released an outline of the kind of programs they’d like to showcase and a
vision of what the historic building will become to the community.
The idea is for the theater to become an intimate gathering place for the
local community to enjoy dancing, jazz, classical music, plays, films and
even storytelling. Roberge said that she’s already been deluged by calls
from agents.
Members also introduced a number of fund-raising activities already
underway. The “2000 in 2000” campaign invites residents to donate $1,000
and have their name included on the donor wall in the theater’s lobby.
For donations of $500 to $700, sponsors will receive an inscribed plaque
on a theater seat.
“For $25,000 donations and up, actual donor signatures will be replicated
in bronze,” said Roberge, adding that these would be posted on the lobby
wall with plaques underneath.
FYI
To volunteer for the foundation, hold a theater presentation or to donate
to the Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation, call Michele Roberge at
(949) 673-0895.
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