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Published on 05/29/1995 All articles from this issue

Headline: Live theater to return to L'ACT building after council OK

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By Cori Barrett / Town Crier Staff Writer

The show will go on, following Los Altos City Council action May 23.

The council has authorized contract negotiations with a newly formed theater group to coordinate the use, management and operation of the Los Altos Conservatory Theatre building, promising a return of live theater to Los Altos.

The formation of a new theater group, which is being sponsored by the Los Altos Tomorrow foundation, comes just seven months after the theater was forced to close its doors due to financial difficulties.

The former district bus maintenance building on Hillview Avenue was home to the Los Altos Conservatory Theatre for 17 years, after the city granted the group permission to use the metal building, which had a slab floor.

Over the years, L'ACT improved the building, transforming it into a small 100-seat theater by adding a stage, lighting, a sound system, dressing room and accumulated props and costumes.

On April 4, the city council authorized the city to purchase these accumulated assets of the Los Altos Conservatory Theatre.

According to recreation supervisor Miriam Mazzi, the city will coordinate an agreement allowing Los Altos Tomorrow, the Los Altos Youth Theatre and other community groups to share the building and offer live theater on most weekends of the year.

"We are getting to talking about who meets when and where," Mazzi said.

Tom Carter, director of the Recreation Department's Youth Theatre Program and Marcia Frederick, director of the newly formed group, have worked together outlining their needs for occupancy.

According to Frederick, the new group would need 36 total weeks to mount six productions. The Los Altos Youth Theatre would need six weeks total to present the two drama programs organizers have planned.

"I'm pleased to see the cooperation between the two groups," said council member Dave Reeder.

The proposed schedule calls for one week for annual theater maintenance and nine weeks for other production companies to utilize the space.

"We will try hard to assure access for outside community groups," Mazzi said.