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# Curtains for downtown playhouse?
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/curtains-for-downtown-playhouse/
- Published: 2002-01-21T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T23:58:29.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Events, Downtown, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

With the threat of a rent increase, the historic playhouse on Fourth Street may have to shut its doors.

The Santa Monica Playhouse, which is celebrating its 40th year providing a host of programs and performances downtown, is looking for close to $500,000 to buy the facility. The non-profit professional theatre is asking the Santa Monica City Council to help in its plight.

The playhouse’s current lease is up and its landlord gave officials 18 months to raise money so they can buy the building. If they can’t, they face a 20 percent rent increase. Currently the city gives no money to the playhouse, although it will receive $9,050 this year from the cultural arts organizational support program and is a regular recipient of the Cultural Affairs Division’s Community Arts Grants.

The theatre presents about 10 theatrical performances each week. It also presents 10 productions each year involving Santa Monica’s oldest professional acting company, “The Actors Repertory Program,” as well as the New Playwrights Series, the Jewish Heritage Program and the International Cultural Exchange Program. Along with educational programs, the playhouse offers six musicals for children and families each year.

The city council will review the request at its Tuesday meeting.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/012102-03_02.jpg)

The Playhouse on Fourth Street is asking the city for financial assistance in its effort to stay open. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/012102-03_03.jpg)

The Playhouse on Fourth Street is asking the city for financial assistance in its effort to stay open. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 21, 2002.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/012102.pdf?ref=smdp.com)