Balboa Theater unveils new plan

June Casagrande

A new chairwoman, a new building design and an ambitious new

fundraising goal are among the reasons that Balboa Theater supporters

say that the future for long-troubled theater project is looking up.

The Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation has announced a goal

to raise $2 million by 2005 to transform the gutted space at 707 E.

Balboa Blvd. into a world-class, 320-seat venue for live theater,

dance, music and even film screenings.

“While it may sound ambitious, it really isn’t when you consider

it,” board founder Dayna Pettit said.

Nancy Gardner has been elected new chairwoman of the foundation

board of directors, with Pettit becoming the first member of the

group’s new emeritus board.

“I think we’re in a position to succeed,” foundation Executive

Director Mary Lonich said.

New rules rolled out on Wednesday include holding board elections

every three years and holding an independent audit of the

organization every year.

Lonich said that such measures can go a long way toward

solidifying the group’s image as a professional and credible

organization, which is essential to fundraising, she said.

The foundation also laid out new plans for the redesign of the

theater. In recent years, planners have encountered serious obstacles

to creating enough space for dressing rooms, restrooms and office

space. They had planned to build these in the existing basement area,

but hit a dead end when they learned that, because it was below the

water table, costly physical reinforcements would be needed to make

the space usable.

The new plan is to add a second story for office space and

restrooms. On top will be an “entertainment deck” where fundraisers

can take advantage of ocean views while wooing important donors. The

new design will preserve the original facade of the building.

Supporters have completed a facade repair and beautification

project, with a new a new marquee, light fixtures and other

amenities. The work was done with donated labor and materials valued

at more than $20,000.

The $6.5-million renovation will be paid for with future and past

fundraising, including a $1-million gift already secured from

philanthropists Donna and John Crean.

“They have a very new and very experienced board of directors, and

I have every reason to believe that the board and the executive

director will see this project through to completion,” said Mayor

Steve Bromberg, a longtime supporter of the theater. “This will not

only be a project Newport Beach can be proud of, but it will be an

arts venue for all of Orange County.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.