KELSEYVILLE — Lake County Theatre Company (LCTC) fulfilled a 30-year dream: finding a theater of its own in Kelseyville.
As of Oct. 15, LCTC moved into the Gard Street property at the corner of Gard and First streets in Kelseyville. LCTC will be there through June with a possible extension if all parties feel that they wish to extend the agreement.
“This is not the first time that Gard Street has been used as a theater,” Carol Dobusch, LCTC board member, said. “I have produced and directed more than 30 performances here as teacher over the years. I know this place is just the place for good theater.”
Dobusch said that she and Marilyn Hodenried talked about bringing theater to Kelseyville for years. “There are new storefronts opening up in Kelseyville, which is wonderful, but we need to bring in new people from around the county, folks who don”t know what Kelseyville has to offer. Having a constant flow of people performing in theatre and patrons attending performances will introduce a whole new group of people to our little town,” Holdenried said.
When she and Dobusch heard that Lake County might not want to use the Gard Street facility at this time, they decided to put in a proposal to David McQueen, Kelseyville School District superintendant. The proposal was accepted, the LCTC board accepted the conditions and the deal was done. LCTC has a home for the very first time.
According to LCTC producer, Suna Flores, use of space at the Soper Reese Community Theatre, the Lake County Fairgrounds and Weaver Auditorium in the Lower Lake Historic Schoolhouse Museum cost LCTC $1,500 to $5,000 per show. “If the cost of the venue goes up, we have to raise our prices to the public,” Flores said. “In this economy, we really need to keep our prices down so that more people can afford to enjoy our performances. That”s what community theater is all about ? having a relatively inexpensive place to perform will help us do that.”
According to Dobusch, moving into the Gard Street property will not be easy. “People have to get used to a new location. But once they find out that they can eat, have a glass of wine or beer, look at antiques, and all in Kelseyville, they will love the whole experience,” Dobusch said.
“Our first performances in the new theater will be the wonderful classic, ?Miracle on 34th Street,”” Dobusch said. “It will be a real celebration for all of us.”
