Now they need to find another $9M; bond measure a possibility
NORTH OF MONTANA — Construction is scheduled to begin this fall on a new theater planned for Santa Monica after designs cleared a crucial hurdle in the Division of the State Architect this week, it was announced Thursday.
More than $8 million has been raised to date for the Madison Project. The 504-seat theater, which will be built on school grounds at Eleventh Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, was designed by renowned local architect Renzo Zecchetto with the aid of acoustic experts. It will cost an estimated $17 million to construct.
Organizers hope to place a bond measure on the November ballot to help fund the project. Other than a $1 million federal grant, most of the money raised has come from private donors and foundations. Among the donors is actor Dustin Hoffman, who has taken an active role in helping to plan the new theater, establishing a resident acting group, 3 Coasts, with which he plans to work closely.
Dr. Piedad Robertson, president of Santa Monica College, which is developing the theater, told about 100 art patrons at a Thursday backyard garden party at a house north of Montana Avenue that organizers are diligently raising money for the project. The free, invitation-only event netted another $110,00O in donations for the theater, with one unnamed guest donating $100,000 for a sculpture garden at the theater site. In addition, Houston’s Restaurant donated a seven-foot baby grand Steinway piano.
“Although we’ve been quiet, a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes — all very positive,” Robertson told guests.
Hoffman was on set for the upcoming movie “Meet the Parents 2: Meet the Fockers” and couldn’t make Thursday’s event. Still, he prepared comments that were read by actor John Carroll Lynch, who also performed a skit called “Obsessive Impulsive” with actor Valerie Mahaffey. Hoffman praised the fundraising effort to date and expressed optimism that the theater project would continue to attract interest.
“We will finally have a major theatrical presence in Santa Monica,” Hoffman wrote.
With the architectural plans approved, the next step is to put the project out to bid, an estimated six-week process. Construction should begin this fall and last an estimated 24 months, meaning the theater would be open by fall of 2006, said project director Dale Franzen, who has also orchestrated fundraising.
Franzen called the Thursday event a “friendraiser” because the invited guests did not pay to attend.
“I think people should have a good time,” Franzen said afterward.
“When they have a good time, they give money — and that’s how we’ve raised most of our money. We have never charged for events. When people feel good about something, they want to be generous.”
Thursday’s event was hosted by celebrity dermatologist Ava Sham-ban and her husband, television writer Marc Flanagan.
A poster board resting on an easel next to the architect’s model of the Madison Theater in the couple’s home listed remaining sponsorship opportunities — ranging from $4 million for the entire performing arts center and $1 million for the entry garden to $500,000 for the upper courtyard and $400,000 for the audio system.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 22, 2004. Read the original PDF.