Schedule of Shows and Events
 | The Emperor's New Clothes Theater 150's Final Show! Directed by Richard Kuhlman December 10-23 Adults - $29 Seniors/Students - $18 Kids Under 12 - $5 The Emperor's New Clothes is an old story turned upside down to become fresh and funny with an Ojai twist! Move over Griswold's, it's time to celebrate a new holiday tradition with the entire family. Theater 150 presents Ojai's take on the traditional British Christmas Pantomime in an uproarious, slapstick, musical extravaganza. This side-splitting farcical fairy tale performance is sure to give some of the best laughs of the year! Click here for tickets |
Letter from Theater 150’s Board Chairman, Tom Krause
It is with a mixture of resignation and hope that I write to inform you that Theater 150 will take a new form after December 31st of this year.
The resignation aspect comes from realizing that the business model underlying professional Equity theater is not presently viable in Ojai. Over the past three years we have had some wonderful successes, but at the same time we have not reached our essential goal of financial stability. The new leadership team installed in June - Michael Addison (Artistic Director) and Susan Scott (Managing Director) – has been outstanding, but they can’t resolve the economic problems besetting our country and our own community.
A handful of dedicated donors have carried the weight of expenses, doing so with the belief that successful productions would stimulate sufficient support. This has not happened and the key donors have become resigned to the fact that it isn’t going to happen.
The hope aspect comes from a new idea, formally accepted by the board on December 2nd, that offers a new business model for a non-Equity, nonprofit theater for young adults and children. It will be led by new artistic co-directors Krista Kim and Rick Kuhlman.
Krista has been conducting programs for young adults and children at T150 for the past two years. These programs have been financially successful as well as artistically and educationally satisfying. Rick has taught improvisational theater and directed and acted in T150 productions over several years, has managed and directed children’s theater in other venues, and has a broad base of experience.
The business model they have proposed has many needed advantages and accomplishes two things simultaneously: costs are drastically reduced, and natural constituencies are intrinsically tied to the success of the project. Rick and Krista will draw their income directly from the classes, workshops and productions they produce for children and young adults; also from fees and rentals associated with use of the theater by other groups and presenters. The board is especially gratified that T150 will continue to serve as a community resource, and the artistic home for hundreds of Ojai artists and residents.
The current board has agreed to cover all expenses related to operations through the month of December so that the new project will start with a clean slate, the full benefit of the facility and equipment, and the support of the community. Theater 150 will continue its planned programming through the month of December. During that time we will provide all possible support to the new project.
This idea is timely in that schools have cut back on artistic resources and need a place to fill the need, opening the way to grants and other forms of support that would be otherwise unavailable.
We urge you to meet and talk with Krista and Rick, and find your place in supporting the new project.
Letter from T150’s Artistic & Managing Directors: Michael Addison & Susan Scott
Dear Friends,
As our board chairman writes in his companion letter, the time has come to transition from our role as Ojai’s professional Equity theater. Over recent months we have made a concerted effort to reduce costs, raise money, and project a season we hoped would be a success both artistically and financially. We have worked with the Trustees to explore all possible options. After careful analysis, their decision is that Theater 150 has run its course. Regretfully, we concur.
We are not the only theater dealing with stringent economics. Across America, theaters of our size have experienced significant drops in attendance , sponsorships, grants and donations.
Our recent fundraising efforts met with enormous enthusiasm and good wishes, but not with the level of financial support needed to launch a season of professional productions. Economic concerns were cited most often: general economic uncertainty, loss of income from failed business ventures, and the need to support other family members.
While this Holiday Pantomime is our last production, we are delighted the theater will continue as a newly constituted entity under the leadership of two gifted artist-teachers who have already established themselves in Ojai and at Theater 150: Krista Kim and Rick Kuhlman.
We completely support their development of a theater training program for youth. We’re deeply pleased the new arrangement means the continuation of Deb Norton’s and other wonderful classes, and of the “one off” special presentations and comedy and musical performances that have meant so much to T150 and the community at large.
We celebrate the astonishing work of the many creative artists who have brought innovative theater to T150 over its 15-year history. We applaud the audiences, volunteers, board members and donors who have been vital to T150, and supportive of us personally. We are grateful for the rich experiences we have shared with one another and with you, and look forward to the time when the Phoenix of professional Theater will rise again in Ojai.
Until then, let’s Celebrate!