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.