Theaters rebound post COVID

Performing arts center calendar full for 2023



THE SHOW GOES ON—Thousand Oaks Cultural Affairs Director Jonathan Serret says 2023 looks to be a comeback year for the city’s theaters, including the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Civic Arts Plaza. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

THE SHOW GOES ON—Thousand Oaks Cultural Affairs Director Jonathan Serret says 2023 looks to be a comeback year for the city’s theaters, including the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Civic Arts Plaza. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

Jonathan Serret, cultural affairs director for Thousand Oaks, said he believes the coming year will be “a step in the right direction” for the city’s main entertainment venue, the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, following the mass of theater closures during the pandemic.

The BofA Center at the Civic Arts Plaza, which opened in 1994, includes the Fred Kavli Theatre with 1,800 seats and the Ray Scherr Forum Theatre with 394 seats.

When the center opened, the city subsidized it. Later, an ad hoc committee was formed to eventually help the theaters “gain sustainability,” said Serret, who has been with the city for 15 years. Under former director Barry McComb, the committee achieved its goal within four years.

Serret, 38, took over when McComb retired in 2020. At the beginning of that year, he said, the performing arts center was “in the black.”

“This is not a money-making endeavor,” Serret said, “but we were able to make ends meet by 2020. We were on par to have one of the most successful years ever.”

POPULAR ACTS—Comedian Nate Bargatze, left, and music legend Elvis Costello were among the performers to sell out the Fred Kavli Theatre in 2022. The city’s two theaters have seen a resurgence of attendance since they were closed down for over a year during COVID.

POPULAR ACTS—Comedian Nate Bargatze, above, and music legend Elvis Costello, below, were among the performers to sell out the Fred Kavli Theatre in 2022. The city’s two theaters have seen a resurgence of attendance since they were closed down for over a year during COVID.

Then the pandemic hit.

The world adjusted slowly, then rapidly, to its impact.

Theater closures hit hard against the performing arts; venues were closed and bookings were canceled or rescheduled as COVID played out.

“We all walked away, rescheduling events and rebooking sometimes two, three, four times. Some canceled. No one was here for 16 months,” Serret said.

Hourly staffers were furloughed with no work, and full-time employees were sent to work in other departments. Serret acted as box office manager at one point.

With a $5-million budget, the venue had lost $3 million in revenues, missing its entire fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

Then, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the federal government enacted the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. In April 2021, the performing arts center received a $3-million grant.

In July 2021, it reopened with physical distancing. The Kavli was down to 300 open seats. There were 92 at the Scherr. Some events were held outdoors in the parking lot at The Lakes shopping center next door.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

In September 2021, the theaters opened to people with proof of vaccination.

“It took a lot of dedication, especially from staff and volunteers we called ‘ambassadors’ checking vaccination cards. They were willing to do that at a time when we didn’t even know what that meant. . . .

“This year, we have no specific numbers yet, but our calendars are very full for 2022-23. Ticket prices for live events have gone up. We are on an upswing,” Serret said.

TOArts hosts three resident companies that are once again presenting live shows: Pacific Festival Ballet, New West Symphony and 5-Star Theatricals.

Performers lease the venues at a discounted rate. Renters include many local organizations, dance groups and cultural groups, like the Conejo Chinese Cultural Association with a celebration of the Lunar New Year. There are also touring companies.

 

 

“We have found our own niche,” said Serret, such as the American Theatre Guild and the Distinguished Speaker Series.

The biggest act of all time? “The Book of Mormon,” which sold out every show.

Other recent sellouts include Ringo Starr, REO Speedwagon, Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp, and Frankie Valli.

Comedy is popular, including Weird Al Yankovic, Hasan Minhaj, Nikki Glaser, Paula Poundstone and Kathy Griffin.

“We book some shows as far out as three years,” Serret said.

Upcoming acts include Rosanne Cash and magicians Penn and Teller.

“It’s been great to have them back onstage,” Serret said.