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Costa Mesa Playhouse Faces Eviction from Long-Time Venue

The Costa Mesa Playhouse stage, known for its community productions, faces eviction from its venue.

News Summary

The Costa Mesa Playhouse is facing eviction from its venue at Rea Elementary School after the Newport-Mesa Unified School District terminated its lease. The Playhouse has been a staple in the community since 1984, gearing up for its 60th anniversary season. The district’s decision, grounded in restructuring academic programs, necessitates the Playhouse’s swift search for a new location. Community support has surged, with discussions ongoing between the theater and district officials for a potential resolution. The Playhouse plans to launch a fundraising campaign to secure its future amid uncertainties.

Costa Mesa – The Costa Mesa Playhouse faces eviction from its long-time venue at Rea Elementary School after the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) terminated the theater’s lease. The termination notice, which requires the Playhouse to vacate the premises by June 29, was discovered by board members on April 17, resulting in a swift response from the theater community.

The Costa Mesa Playhouse has occupied a 73-seat theater at Rea Elementary since 1984, leasing the space for a nominal fee. It was gearing up for a milestone 60th anniversary season in the 2025-26 calendar year. However, the NMUSD’s letter cited the need to restructure grade levels at Rea and Pomona elementary schools as the primary reason for the lease termination, a decision rooted in upcoming changes to academic programming.

The district’s plans include shifting Rea School to serve grades 2-6 and relocating preschoolers and first graders to Pomona Elementary starting this fall. NMUSD officials have expressed that this reconfiguration is essential to support academic and enrichment programs for students, thus necessitating the space currently utilized by the Playhouse.

Upon receiving news of the lease’s termination, Playhouse officials have been in a race against time to find a new location for productions, as well as to store important stage equipment and other assets. Mark Tillman, a director of communications and board member, shared the board’s sense of shock regarding the eviction while also highlighting the excitement surrounding their upcoming anniversary productions. The theater is facing significant financial risks if required to secure a new venue at escalating market rates, a challenge for the nonprofit organization.

Support for the Costa Mesa Playhouse has been evident, with members and supporters attending an NMUSD Board of Trustees meeting on April 22 to advocate for the theater’s existence. The theater’s president commented on the vital academic needs of students but concurrently urged the district to pursue solutions that could help mitigate the impact on the theater.

The artistic director of the Costa Mesa Playhouse reported that substantial investments had already been made toward upcoming season productions. As the deadline for vacating the facility approaches, there are ongoing discussions between NMUSD and Playhouse leaders regarding the potential for a delayed move-out date and possible alternative locations on other school sites. There is a cautious optimism within the Playhouse administration that workable solutions may emerge.

In the absence of a secured venue, the Playhouse plans to initiate a fundraising campaign aimed at ensuring its survival. This campaign would focus on rallying community support while fostering monetary contributions to sustain its operations during this uncertain period.

The lease termination aligns with the terms outlined in the existing agreement, which was initially not set to expire until June 2026. However, the NMUSD has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritize educational space amidst the ongoing changes to its elementary schools.

As the Costa Mesa Playhouse navigates this challenging transition, discussions with NMUSD continue, leaving hope for a resolution that could benefit both student needs and the thriving local arts community. It remains to be seen how the situation unfolds and what impact it may have on the Playhouse’s future endeavors.