Desert Foothills Theater seeks space in Carefree

Sonja Haller, The Republic | azcentral.com 8:20 a.m. MST July 9, 2014

(Photo: Meribeth Reeves)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. 1Discussions to build a new theater and community center in Carefree underway
   

2. 2The theater would feature up to 240 seats and concessions
   

3. 3A capital campaign would be launched to build and Tow of Carefree could contribute
   

27

CONNECT

18

TWEET

LINKEDIN

COMMENT

EMAIL

MORE

For Desert Foothills Theater and Foothills Community Foundation it's a chance to expand programming and grow its reach. For Carefree, it's a possible economic driver, a new council chamber and the possibility of a long-awaited condo and retail development.

Carefree began preliminary discussions six weeks ago about a future performing-arts and community center in Carefree east of the current town administration offices on Sundial Circle.

A capital campaign would need to be launched to build a 240-seat theater and dressing rooms and other space needed for the theater and the community center component, which under the proposal would include space for new council chamber.

No cost figures were mentioned during a recent meeting when the council discussed the issue.

"I have refused to say any number because as soon as we say a number we will have to live with that number for a long time," said Mayor David Schwan.

Schwan said the town set aside $1.5 million this year for the design of a new council chamber, which could assist with a capital campaign. The town's lease with the landlord for its current council chamber on Easy Street expires in July 2016.

Under the proposal the town would own the building and lease it to the theater for $1 a year but would not contribute to the non-profit's yearly operating cost. "One thing the town cannot do in my estimation is look at an ongoing contribution," Schwan said.

A possible timetable also was left open-ended but a PowerPoint presentation by the Desert Foothills Theater looked at opening within three years. Foothills Community Foundation is a non-profit that runs a number of programs including the Desert Foothills Theater.

The theater, now in its 39th season, presents its shows at the Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center in north Scottsdale. But in a recent presentation to the Town Council, theater advisory board President Peter Strupp, said both the fine arts center and the theater have outgrown each other.

The theater does seven shows a year, but having its own venue could increase the number of shows and number of educational programs for adults and youths, he said. And unlike a museum, a performing-arts center could provide a constant mix of programming.

Desert Foothills Theater put on Disney’s “Aladdin” during spring 2013.(Photo: Jeremy Andorfer, Vangelis Productions)

Earlier this year, discussions between town leaders and the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum to have a satellite locations in Carefree fell through.

"A well-run performing-arts center gives people a reason for coming and gives people a reason for staying," Strupp said.

Two months ago, town leaders issued a call for a cultural attraction to anchor the town center and serve as the centerpiece in a proposed $90 million development of luxury condos over retails shops by Ed Lewis. Lewis said he needed a cultural anchor to draw foot traffic, condo buyers, restaurants and boutique shops.

Councilman Mike Farrar said he wanted Lewis to weigh in on the potential project. Councilwoman Melissa Price agreed.

The mayor said the proposal is something the council should consider regardless of whether the Lewis development proceeds.

Proposed Carefree Performing-Arts Center

What: A new performing-arts center for the existing Desert Foothills Theater in partnership with Foothills Community Foundation.

Where: East of the current town administration offices at 8 Sundial Circle.

Benefits for Carefree: Improved foot traffic through town, enhanced quality of life for residents, a new Town Council chamber and community meeting spaces.

Benefits for theater community foundation: Expanded space from current venue at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center in north Scottsdale, more performances, presentation of a movie series, live guest performances and expanded educational theater experiences for adults and youth.

Funding: Unknown, but a capital campaign would be launched to raise money to build the structure, of which the town might contribute funding. Desert Foothills Theater and the Foothills Community Foundation would assume the yearly operating costs. The town would own the building and lease it to the theater for $1 a year.