Costa Mesa Playhouse Faces Lease Termination at Rea Elementary

The empty stage of Costa Mesa Playhouse, reflecting a moment of uncertainty as lease termination looms

News Summary

The Costa Mesa Playhouse is at risk of losing its lease at Rea Elementary School, where it has operated since 1984, as NMUSD plans to repurpose the space. With a notice to vacate by June 29, 2023, the nonprofit theater is urgently seeking a new location while also preparing for its 60th anniversary season. Playhouse officials are advocating for a collaborative solution that meets both the theater’s needs and the school’s reconfiguration plans.

Costa Mesa – The Costa Mesa Playhouse is facing the termination of its lease at Rea Elementary School, where it has been located since 1984, as the Newport-Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD) plans to reconfigure its grade levels. The district has issued a 90-day notice for the lease termination, requiring the Playhouse to vacate the premises by June 29, 2023, just as it was preparing for its upcoming 2025-26 season that coincides with its 60th anniversary celebration.

This unexpected lease termination was communicated through a letter discovered on April 17, 2023, even though the warning had been issued in March. Now, Costa Mesa Playhouse officials are urgently seeking a new location to continue their productions and find storage solutions for essential theater equipment and seating. They are facing a substantial challenge in securing a site that is affordable, as the nonprofit theater relies on ticket sales and community donations.

Mark Tillman, a board member and director of communications at the Playhouse, expressed the team’s shock and disappointment upon learning of the lease termination, particularly since plans for the milestone anniversary event had already begun to take shape. The Playhouse leadership, alongside supporters, gathered at the Newport-Mesa Unified Board of Trustees meeting on April 22, 2023, to advocate for a resolution that would meet the needs of both the theater and the school district.

Playhouse President Mike Brown acknowledged the necessity of prioritizing student needs but urged the district to work collaboratively to address the situation in a favorable manner. Meanwhile, Artistic Director Peter Kreder highlighted the challenge posed by the impending deadline, asserting that the theater still has two productions scheduled for the current season and significant investments made toward the anniversary season.

Kreder has called for an extension to facilitate a smoother transition and allow for fundraising efforts aimed at ensuring the Playhouse’s continuity. The district’s decision correlates with a significant reconfiguration of grade levels at Rea and Pomona elementary schools. Starting in the fall of 2023, Rea Elementary will serve students in grades 2 through 6, while Pomona Elementary will focus on preschool and first-grade students.

The contract governing the Playhouse’s lease allows for termination with a 90-day notice, a point confirmed by NMUSD spokeswoman Annette Franco. The district’s trustees have engaged in discussions with theater leaders to explore potential solutions that might alleviate the immediate pressure on the Playhouse, including the possibility of extending the move-out date to allow existing productions to conclude.

In parallel, NMUSD is investigating alternative sites on other school grounds that may be suitable for the Costa Mesa Playhouse, offering the hope of continuing operations within the school’s infrastructure. Tillman has expressed cautious optimism regarding the ongoing dialogue with the district, indicating that there is potential for finding a resolution that meets the needs of both the theater and the educational community.

If relocation within the district proves logistically impractical, the Costa Mesa Playhouse is prepared to initiate a fundraising campaign to support its operational continuity. As the situation evolves, the community remains hopeful for a collaborative outcome that honors both the rich history of the Playhouse and the educational mission of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.