Two months ago, it looked like those who act, sing, paint, costume or work in the background of the West Valley Performing Arts Center were facing their final curtains this fall. Now, new curtains are rising.

Faced with possible closure due to the end of city funding, a new organization has formed to keep the center in place at least for one more year. The West Valley Arts Foundation (West Valley Arts) has named a new Board of Trustees designed to “create opportunities to experience and celebrate art, culture and community,” it boasted in a news release. And a “See You in the Round” block party held at the theater on July 14 introduced both old and new fans to the many facets of community theater.

“We’re thrilled to begin this new era of West Valley Arts as a community organization,” said Kate Rufener, chair of the new board. “With the support of WVA’s partners, sponsors and community members, we hope to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring the long-term health and success of this vital aspect of West Valley’s unique landscape.”

In May, the city announced it would end subsidizing the theater after the 2024 season ends in September. Officials said the annual subsidy had risen to over $160,000 a year. Immediately, supporters of the theater bonded together, creating a Facebook page that quickly gathered over 2,400 followers. A grassroots support effort began to form a community-based organization as a nonprofit to keep the doors open and the stages lit. The recent production of “The Lightning Thief” sold the highest number of tickets for any show this year—close to 4,800 for its 16 shows with an average house of 300 and average capacity of 59%—certainly a move in the right direction. City council also agreed in June to provide funding at least through December of 2025. 

The new board includes members from both the acting and nonacting community. 

“Everything is so exciting right now, and I think we’re straddling two worlds,” Rufener said. “We’ve got this new board. We also have funding from the city for a single season, which is a short amount of time to turn around fundraising efforts that will make the theater sustainable. And so right now, we’re working to transfer ownership of the building to West Valley Arts. The next piece would be executing on the steps to fundraise. So we just have a lot to reach out to.”

The July 14 event was well attended, allowing those who came to see the theater from seven different angles. “Passport” stations were set up so patrons could visit the box office, seeing demonstrations of choreography, costuming, makeup, set painting, fighting with prop weapons, and even walking across the stage. Food trucks outside the theater offered dinners and drinks, and midway through the evening, staff members announced the five plays that will make up the 2025 season
(see sidebar).

The current season will conclude with “Legally Blonde,” which runs Aug. 9-31, and “Jekyll & Hyde,” running Oct. 11-Nov. 2.

Rufener said support for WVA has been widespread, including from other community theater groups.

“There’s sort of this prevailing thought with Utah theater groups that a rising tide lifts all boats,” she said. “And so we’re interested in making sure that that continues, because the people that see theater at West Valley are likely to see theater at the Hale, they’re likely to see theater at Eccles or CenterPoint or other places, and that can only increase the audiences, that can only increase their education, that can only increase the opportunities for actors, crew, and production staff, as well as audience members. Our intention is to build a community of theaters that can lift us all.”

Ticket information for the 2024 and 2025 seasons is available online at wvcarts.org/about-wvpac. λ