HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-11; Minute Motion Regarding Community Theater Programming (Districts - All); Barberio, GaryCouncil Memorandum
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Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2025069
December 11, 2025
To:
From:
Via:
Re:
Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director
Craddock Stropes, Cultural Arts Manag:r ...
11
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Sheila Cobian, Assistant City Manager .:J::>J(JJ
Minute Motion Regarding Community Theater Programming (Districts -All)
This memorandum provides information in response to a June 13, 2023, minute motion
directing staff to return to the City Council with options for the City Council's consideration that
would allow the city to facilitate community theater programing.
Background
With the region's longest established Cultural Arts Office, the city has committed significant
resources over the past 39 years toward fostering a vibrant cultural life in Carlsbad. Supporting
community theater, among other arts disciplines, continues to be one of the city's strategies to
enhance the lives of all who live, work and play in Carlsbad and meet the goals of the
Community Vision, Five Year Strategic Plan and Arts & Culture Master Plan. Over the past
10 years the city has invested over $1.5 million in community theater through grants and city-
sponsored programming.
Discussion
There are several ways in which the city currently facilitates community theater:
• Community Arts Grants:
!n the past 10 years the city has awarded $388,078 to assist organizations such as
Carlsbad Community Theater, Playwright's Project, Intrepid Shakespeare Theater
Company and La Jolla Playhouse to bring quality theater experiences to Carlsbad
through public performances and educational programs. Community arts grants also
nurture the next generation of theater performers and technicians by offering direct
funding to schools for projects such as a district-wide theater festival, theater
productions at Carlsbad, Sage Creek and La Costa Canyon High Schools and improv
classes at Jefferson Elementary.
Community Services
Library & Cultural Arts
1775 Dove Lane I Carlsbad, CA 92011 I 442-339-2049 t
Council Memo -Minute Motion Regarding Community Theatre Programming (Districts -All)
December 11, 2025
Page 2
• Guest Artist Residencies:
The city has hosted several guest artists to offer a variety of theater programs for the
community, including North Coast Repertory musical summer camp, performances and
workshops with playwright and actor Vanessa Severo, and youth theater workshops
offered by Missoula Children's Theater, Kids on Stage Productions and Magic of
Broadway.
• New Village Arts:
The New Village Arts Theater has earned a strong reputation thanks to the longstanding
support from the city in the form of a below market rate 20-year lease of the Bauer
Lumber building, past and current funding for renovations to the building, and award of
art grants totaling $111,600 over the past 10 years.
• Carlsbad Library and Arts Foundation's Robert H. Gartner Cultural Endowment:
These funds are specifically dedicated to support performances in the Ruby G. Schulman
Auditorium. The primary provider of community theater programming in the Schulman
Auditorium is Carlsbad Playreaders, whose mission is to offer a quality dramatic
entertainment experience for all ages by presenting a wide range of styles and genres of
plays and musicals in an intimate setting. Since 1997, the Carlsbad Playreaders have
received $107,750 from the Gartner fund to support its activities in the Schulman
Auditorium.
• Facility Rentals:
Community theater groups may rent the Schulman Auditorium, often at the discounted
non-profit organization rate, to present live performances and summer camps that are
open to the public.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to implement the above programs and activities, but no further actions or
reporting is anticipated regarding this minute motion, unless directed by the City Manager or
City Council.
cc: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney