The Novato Theater: Bring the Dream to Life

In these tough economic times, it is important to remember lessons from the past. In the Great Depression the arts and entertainment industry thrived. Why? Because when times are hard, something as simple a ticket to our local theater, where we can escape into colorful, exciting and inspiring worlds, is still within reach. We need to believe through the beauty of “what if”, tales of those who have overcome, and gathering together to cheer feats of artistry and athleticism - that things will get better.

Marin County is feeling the effects of the poor economy, and what is worse, sometimes feeling that negativity has overtaken our daily life. When I read the local papers, the internet comments or watch public meetings, what receives the lion’s share of attention is rarely the positive and hopeful – and the negative often draws more negative. The one shining exception that has been gaining momentum despite all of this is the Novato Theater Project and the incredible volunteers that have been working nonstop for months on end to reach the City Council’s target of raising $750,000 by September.

Bernice Baeza has gathered together a band of tireless, selfless visionaries that are multi-taskers extraordinaire and have dedicated hundreds of hours to make the vision a reality. They meet and strategize twice a week, day and night; they make props and provide entertainers for a parade float; they create flyers; round up donated food and drink for concerts; make endless fundraising pitches, and together have raised over $500,000 in the most difficult financial climate imaginable, to buy and renovate the Novato Theater.

Because Bernice Baeza has a stellar track record with the success of the Lark Theater, she has contacts with a multitude of professionals from architects to contractors to theater equipment owners who are willing to donate their services to make our downtown a place to go to watch movies, live music, school performances and connect digitally to the Oscars, the Super Bowl or the Opera. 

Circle Bank has agreed to a $1 million line of credit, which the City sought as another condition for turning the theater over to the group.

Our downtown business owners are supporting this effort because they know that a reopened theater in this space is the magnet that our downtown needs to truly fulfill its potential – drawing people downtown at night and on weekends, providing the impetus for retail to open in the evenings and on Sundays. Another retail business at that location just won’t do the job; the Theater is the key.

These volunteers have far surpassed any previous efforts to raise funds to reopen the theater, and done it in the worst economy since the Great Depression. Perhaps it’s because of the hard times that the community has stepped up and contributed. Because they want to enjoy family films downtown, have a date night with dinner and a movie, rock out with their favorite local band, or cheer for their teenagers performing in a play or a musical program.

Working with the Theater volunteers is a joy. They are upbeat and focused on creating something positive in our town. Once the Council determines that the funds raised are sufficient, the City will sell the building to the group for $50,000 and then the nonprofit Novato Theater will own the building.

Many of the volunteers have experienced roadblocks in their fundraising: Some potential donors have indicated they will contribute only when the City transfers the title of the building, because investors want to know they are putting their funds into a building that they own. This can’t happen until the City turns it over to the non profit for the appraised value of $50,000.

If the community wants to see this dream come true, now is the time to speak up. Let the City Council know at their meeting September 13 that the time has come for the Novato Theater non-profit to take ownership of the building. The theater volunteers do not want an extension. That won’t get the job done. They are asking the City to proceed with the sale of the building to the Novato Theater non-profit, and carry this project into its next phase. Let’s get this theater renovated and open for the community.

Come to the Council meeting on September 13. Email your thoughts to city@novato.org. If you haven’t already, donate at www.novatotheater.net. Let’s make this happen.