HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.1 Children'sThtreWrkshpFnding
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CITY OF DUBLIN
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CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: December 13, 1993
Written Communication: Request for Funding From the
Children's Theatre Workshop (Prepared by: Lou Ann
Riera-Texeira)
~Letter dated November 24, 1993 from the Children's
Theatre workshop
RJCOMNINOATt~eceive presentation.
PIRANCIAL The Children's Theatre Workshop has requested a
STATIKBJf: contribution of $10,000.
SUBJECT;
EXBIBITS:
DESCRIPTION: Correspondence has been received from the Children's
Theatre Workshop (CTW), requesting that the city of Dublin contribute a
one-time donation of $10,000 to assist CTW in securing a permanent home.
CTW, a Tri-Valley based organization, provides a variety of cultural and
educational programs and activities to thousands of Tri-Valley
residents. programs include theatrical classes, conservatory programs,
school touring shows and mainstage productions.
For the past several years, CTW has occupied a number of facilities in
the Tri-Valley area, including locations in Dublin, Livermore and
Pleasanton. CUrrently, CTW rents office space in Pleasanton; rents
rehearsal space in the Hacienda Business Park; and rents performing
space at Amador High School in Pleasanton.
Each year, CTW spends approximately $80,000 on rent and facility
improvements. The inability to secure a permanent facility, coupled
with costs associated with relocating and tenant improvements, and
declining ticket reYenue has resulted in financial difficulties for CTW.
As indicated in the attached letter, CTW is looking to secure a
permanent facility to house office, educational and theatrical
activities. CTW's current space needs are approximately 10,000 square
feet of usable space (a minimum of 4,500 sq. ft. for performance as
mandated by the state Fire Marshal). The maximum affordable rent CTW is
able to pay is $.35 per sq. ft.. The spacial and budgetary restrictions
have limited CTW's ability to acquire a facility.
Presently, CTW is negotiating on two locations in Dublin (Viacom
Building and a former church site, both located on Sierra Court).
Further, negotiations with the owners of the old courthouse in Livermore
have been unsuccessful due to the cost of space ($.70 per sq. ft.). CTW
staff has indicated that potential space in walnut Creek may be
available. However, the CTW Board of Directors is opposed to relocating
the CTW out of the Tri-Valley area.
During the remainder of Fiscal Year 1993-94, CTW will incur expenses in
excess of $40,000, regardless of whether or not they secure a permanent
facility_ consequently, CTW has initiated a massive campaign to raise
funds to meet their financial Obligations and to assist in acqu1r1ng a
permanent facility. CTW has approached all of the Tri-Valley cities
(Oanville, DUblin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon) for funding.
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COPIES TO:
CITY CLERK
FILE ~
ITEM NO.
5. I
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Further, CTW has requested donations from patrons, corporate sponsors
and the business community.
To date, CTW has received over $3,000 in private donations. In
addition, the Tri-valley Herald has pledged a percentage of revenue
earned from new newspaper subscriptions to CTW. CTW is hoping to raise
approximately $20,000 in private, corporate and business donations.
Further, CTW hopes to match the remaining $20,000 with public agency
contributions. All contributions will be used to fund facility needs
(i.e., rent, tenant improvements, etc.). All pUblic agency requests are
considered one-time requests.
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CITY OF DUBLIN
Children's Theatre Workshop
A Theatre For Families
November 24, 1993
Ka y Keck
City of Dublin
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
"
Dear Ms. Keck,
As a supporter of educational theatre for families you know how important
CTW is to our community. In a time when newspaper headlines mourn victims of
domestic violence, decry gang fights and hate crimes, and worry about the future of
our schools, we at CTW strive to provide a place where families can come together
to share, discuss, and reflect on the issues pertinent to them today. As a society, \ve
are becoming more isolated and fragmented, less able to hear and understand one
another; CTW creates a venue for family communication - precisrly at the time we
need to hear each other most. "
CTW has been an essential part of the cultural lives of Dublin families for the past 13 years.
Each year, CTW's touring program reaches every grade school and junior high student in Dublin
(Nielson, Murry, Fredricksen, and Wells) and 3,000 Dublin residents' will see a CTW mainstage
show during the 1993-94 season. 15% of the students in erN's classes and conservatory
programs are Dublin residents. For most Dublin kids, CTW's school touring shows are the first
theater they \'\'ill experience. All of CTW's performances emphasize audience participation, and
encourage discussion of classic works of literature and contemporary issues. CTW is currently
considering several sites in Dublin for a permanent location. However, our ability to continue to
bring you our programs is in danger without your support.
CTW is in dire straits financially. A brutal economy and the need for a permanent home
have called into question our existence. If we cannot find a way to generate $40,000 in the next 45
days, we will have to close the doors. In other words, the Tri-Valley's only educational theatre for
families, which caters to over 100,000 children and families each year will cease to exist. If we can
519 Kottinger Drive
Pleasanton, CA 94566
( 5 1 0) 8 4 6 -5 4 0 0
l.aise the money, we plan to a!SSiVelY pursue the finding of a p!anent home. We are
currently pursuing two locations in Dublin, both on Sierra Court.
We urgently need your assistance. As a progressive city who genuinely cares about our
youth and the arts, a tremendous opportunity awaits you - an investment in the future of our
community and our children. Please consider a gift of $10,000 to help us reach our goal and
enable us to do what we do best - provide an environment conducive to entertainment,
education, and excellence. Of course, a gift of any amount is welcome. We plan to challenge the
community at large to match whatever funding you are able to provide.
Together we can make a difference by ensuring that live theatre for families and arts
education will be available to future generations of families right here at home.
BACKGROUND: SPACE
Each year CTW spends close to $80,000 on rent and facility improvements for the theatres
we move into. We would much rather spend this money on a facility that we can call "home".
Ironically, CTW has been able to function for the last twelve years as a portable theatre company,
but the troubles have finally caught up with us. Whether or not this educational theatre for
families and youth will be able to withstand the current season is still a question in the minds of
the staff and Board of Directors at CTW. Being homeless may quickl~ bring down the house
curtain.
What will space bring CTW?
· Stability
Stability will maintain audience base through improved ease of locating productions. It will
improve classroom planning, program administration, rehearsal efficiency, storage space, and
construction safety and efficiency. ..
,.
· Efficiency
Efficiency reduces production costs through ability to mount non-portable sets and will reduce
the pitfalls, inconveniences, and problems that inevitably arise when borrowing someone else's
property.
· Reliability
Reliability will arise through the consistency of location, box office, seats, and rest rooms. This is
especially important to families with young children.
Consistent stage visibility is an audience expectation difficult to maintain without the reliabilty of
space.
· Time Value
Reduces staff and volunteer time dealing with constant space planning, agreements, and
production issues.
· Management without crisis
Improves ability to manage public relations and marketing affairs without a location crisis.
'. 'Motivation
Volunteers h.ave stated interest to take on more projects with stable expectations and a reliable
facility. Actors and staff \vill be motivated to participate through reliability of rehearsal and
performance space.
· Safety
Safety will be improved by building fewer portable production sets. Portable and semi-portable
sets are a greater investment to build because of the safety standards that must be met.
· Cost Effective
Permanent space will be more cost effective by reducing transportatis>n, assembly and disassembly
of portable sets. Short term contracts with landlords are more costly than long term agreements.
What are the plans for CTW's usage of space?
CTW's Future Goals are to develop a "CENTER FOR FAMILY EDUCATION" - A FULL
USE :MlJLTI-SERVICE CENTER. This facility will bring together the cooperation of human
service, arts service and education under one roof. This facilities purpose will be to provide place
where families can share and explore values and ideas, focus on ones' creativity and self, and
have avialable to them the many resources contemporary families need today.
Please consider this very important issue for the agenda of your December meeting. We
want a chance to show you the community support of our programs and to explain our needs in
more detail. Call us with questions or concerns at (510) 846-5400. Thank you.
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~~~~-W)
Karen Burton-Lind
President, Board of Directors
Scott Evan Guggenheim
Executive Director
cc. City Mayor, Peter W. Snyder
City Manager, Richard Ambrose