Is there nowhere for No Square?

Another Laguna institution is threatened.

No Square Theatre will leave Sept. 1 the studios where reharsals for productions including “Lagunatics” and classes are held. If no new quarters can be found, No Square Theatre might have to leave town.

“That means Laguna will have no community theater,” No Square and “Lagunatics” founder Bree Burgess Rosen said.

No Square Theatre occupies the studios on South Coast Highway where the late Laila Zali once taught ballet. The new property owner has plans that do not include renting space to No Square Theatre. Tops and Edith’s, a long-time tenant of other space on the property, are already gone.

“We wanted to buy the property,” Burgess Rosen said. “Ed Gazich, who is a realtor and a friend, went over the property with a fine-tooth comb. He came up with a price. But somebody from out of town bought it for way more than we offered.”

No Square’s lease runs through January, but Burgess Rosen said since the owner won’t renew it and the company has no shows scheduled for rehearsal in October, November and December there is no reason to stay and continue to pay $3,000 a month rent for space that will hardly be used.

“We could afford the $3,000 because we have enough space to rent out to teachers,” Burgess Rosen said.

Laguna has already lost Ballet Pacifica. The Laguna Beach Chamber Music Society funds performances at Barclay Theatre, not at the Artists Theatre as it used to. The Laguna Art Museum, the Festival of Arts and South Coast Medical Center have all come within a hair’s breadth of moving out of town.

Now, the only opportunity for amateur performers in town is threatened.

“I want to write ‘Lagunatics,’ not Dana Points,” Burgess Rosen said.

“Lagunatics” satirizes all of the foibles of Laguna Beach, with parodies of lyrics of well-known music. It features local youngsters, restaurateurs and elected officials ? it’s not often you see a conservative Republican mayor in drag.

Former Police Chief James Spreine became an icon for community policing after his laid-back performances in “Lagunatics” and had the cast and audience in tears when he sang “I’ve Grown Accustomed to This Place,” in the 2005 show, just before he retired.

In an average year, somewhere between 350 and 400 locals are involved in No Square Theatre productions.

A children’s theater summer camp is under way in the daytime and rehearsals for the children’s production “Narnia” are held at night. “Lagunatics” goes into rehearsal at the end of July, and “Narnia” moves into the Laguna Beach High School Artists Theatre for six performances, Aug. 4-6 and 11-13.

“Narnia” tickets are $20 for general admission, and $15 for students and seniors, all reserved seating.

“Lagunatics” will move into the Artists Theatre after Labor Day for five days of rehearsals and then four performances on Sept. 8-10.Tickets go on sale Aug. 1.

“When ‘Lagunatics’ is over, if we haven’t found a place, we will have to rent storage out of town, because we can’t find any here,” Burgess Rosen said.

No Square needs about 2,000 square feet of space. Ideally, the rent would run about $1,500 a month. All No Square funds come from donations and grants.

“Lagunatics,” which Burgess Rosen and Chris Quilter are in the midst of writing now, raises funds for the theater company, as well as other Laguna Beach organizations, such as the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, the high school theater improvements, Laguna Shanti and the Laguna Playhouse.

“Last year, we raised $20,000 for No Square and $50,000 for the Senior Center, which Hearts of Montage matched,” Burgess Rosen said.

The City Council awarded an $8,200 grant to No Square, which does not qualify for Business Improvement District funds, reserved for tourist-attracting arts organizations.

“We are open to suggestions,” Burgess Rosen said.

For more information or to contact Burgess Rosen, e-mail her at Bree@nosquare.org or visit www.nosquare.org.