News Summary
Estancia High School has opened its $42 million performing arts complex, fulfilling a commitment made in 2005. This impressive 18,270 square foot facility includes a 350-seat theater and black box theater. The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with students and district stakeholders. Despite multiple delays, the new complex represents a significant investment in the arts education for students and aims to enhance community engagement. The facility also honors past educators who shaped the school’s drama program, promising new opportunities for student creativity and expression.
Costa Mesa – Estancia High School has officially opened its long-awaited $42 million performing arts complex, marking a significant milestone in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s development plans. This new facility was promised to voters back in 2005, but various delays over the years postponed its completion, with recent construction finishing just in time for the 2025-26 school year.
The performing arts complex spans an impressive 18,270 square feet and features a 350-seat theater, a black box theater, as well as dressing and prop rooms, alongside concession stands and box office areas. The grand opening festivities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by students, teachers, and district stakeholders, all eager to celebrate the new venue’s debut and the opportunities it will provide for the school’s robust arts programs.
The construction of the performing arts complex was made possible by an initial $27 million allocation from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District’s $282 million Measure F bond that was approved by voters in 2005. However, the project encountered multiple setbacks due to cost overruns related to other bond projects, ultimately raising the estimated cost to $42 million. Design plans for the complex were submitted to the state in 2019 after determining its location on the eastern side of the campus, replacing a one-acre senior lawn that faced protests and a lawsuit from the city of Costa Mesa related to the demolition.
To resolve these issues, the district agreed to relocate the complex to an area primarily designated for parking, allowing construction to proceed. Former NMUSD Trustee Martha Fluor, who dedicated nearly three decades to the board, expressed satisfaction at seeing the theater finally completed, emphasizing the long journey it took to fulfill the promise made to the community.
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley highlighted that the theater aligns with Costa Mesa’s aspirations of being recognized as the “City of the Arts,” as it exemplifies enhancements being made in local educational institutions, now including two high schools equipped with new modern theaters.
The new complex not only serves as a space for performances but also pays tribute to the legacy of significant figures in the school’s drama program. One theater space honors Barbara Van Holt, a former drama teacher whose contributions greatly influenced the development of the theater program at Estancia. Another theater space is named after Pauline Maranian, who succeeded Van Holt as the drama director. This acknowledgment of past educators emphasizes the program’s rich history and future potential.
Students at Estancia High School have expressed their excitement about the new facilities, anticipating a substantial boost to the school’s drama program and the overall presence of the arts within the community. The complex is viewed as a vital resource that will foster student creativity, collaboration, and expression, allowing for diverse learning opportunities.
Newport-Mesa Unified Superintendent Wes Smith stated that this theater is expected to enhance community engagement and a sense of humanity for years to come. The presence of the performing arts complex is seen as a critical step forward, providing students with the essential tools and spaces they need to learn, perform, and express themselves meaningfully.
This long-awaited addition to Estancia High School not only fulfills the district’s commitment to its students and voters but also represents a significant investment in the cultural and educational landscape of Costa Mesa, enhancing the artistic opportunities available to the youth.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Curtain Rises at Estancia High’s $42M Performing Arts Center
- Wikipedia: Performing arts
- Los Angeles Times: Estancia Drama Students Host Off-Site Production
- Google Search: Estancia High School performing arts
- Los Angeles Times: Work on Estancia High Performing Arts Complex Has Begun
- Google Scholar: performing arts education
- Los Angeles Times: Estancia Theater Work to Start Despite Lawsuit
- Encyclopedia Britannica: theater
- Los Angeles Times: Estancia High’s $42M Theater Back on Track
- Google News: Estancia High School
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
