- Covina Center for the Performing Arts
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The Covina Center for the Performing Arts is a historic theatre located in Covina, California.
Contents
History
The original Covina Theater was built in 1920 in the Reed building at the corner of Citrus and Badillo and was a downtown Covina staple for entertainment. It was a modern theater for its time. They played two films nightly, the newsreel and then accompanied by the piano, a silent film followed. Saturday matinées showed the serials so popular in its time. The theater became a hot spot for many of the Covina youths when “The Candy Box” opened in the building. Then came the color of film, in the 1930s, the theater was remodeled to fit the needs of the day and continued to bring entertainment to the city of Covina. The second floor of the theater was removed and the Masonic Lodge that had resided in this space was closed to add more space for a larger balcony section. In 1948, the whole building was again remodeled to put in place precautions against the ever-present earthquakes of the region. Now came the addition of sound to film, which once again set new renovations to the theater as “The Candy Box” moved out. Business boomed and the theatre thrived. In the 1950s the theater continued to remodel to suit the needs of its patrons and the entertainment medium they presented. In 1961 the theater’s marquee was added. It wasn't until 1984 that the building was used by a theatrical company the West Covina Players, they moved into the theatre after the building had been dark for a year. In 1993 the West Covina Players opened their season in June at their new location at the Covina Theater, with the musical classic, “Fiddler on the Roof”, and with it transformed into the Covina Valley Playhouse. Operating out of this facility till the closing production of Kander & Ebb’s “Cabaret”.
The Covina Center for the Performing Arts today
Beginning in 2004, renovation on the Covina Theater began again. Much of the theater building and the original sign was either torn or taken down in 2005. The original plan was to restore the building into a performing arts theatre. This was before unforeseen issues with the buildings structure were uncovered during the original restoration work. Unfortunately, the building was deemed structurally unsound so the building was rebuilt instead. The new Covina Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) opened to the public in October 2007. This breathtaking facility has become the cultural hub of the San Gabriel Valley, and is quickly becoming a force in the Southern California theatre scene. Operating under the Actors Equity Association's 99 Seat Plan, the Covina Center for the Performing Arts produces upwards of a half dozen equity shows annually.
CCPA 2008 Charter Season Celebration of the Arts Kiss Me, Kate Neil Simon's The Odd Couple Enter the Guardsman Seussical the Musical Gypsy: A Musical Fable Wait Until Dark An Adaptation of A Christmas Carol CCPA 2009 Season The Light in the Piazza (musical) Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park Festival of New American Musicals Godspell HMS Pinafore in concert In addition, there is a special events season, which includes performances by Jason Robert Brown and Fritz Coleman, the musical revues Not Fade Away and In the Mood, and the play Latinologues.
Educational programming
The Covina Center for the Performing Arts is committed to bringing the highest level of theatrical education to the children of the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas. Through the highest level of performance-based instruction, free or low cost performances, unique backstage tours, internships /apprenticeships, and support for classroom teachers, Covina Center for the Performing Arts is dedicated to promoting the performing arts and to being a positive, active influence in creating our next generation of performers, designers, and arts administrators, as well theatre enthusiasts and future patrons.
External links
- Covina Center for the Performing Arts Official Website
- http://www.ci.covina.ca.us/cityview/2007%20Fall/Economicdevpgs22-23.pdf
- http://www.covinacenter.com/about_us_history.html
- http://www.ci.covina.ca.us/cityview/2008%20Summer/pages1617CommDev.pdf
- http://www.roadsidepeek.com/roadusa/southwest/california/socal/socaltheatre/othertheat/covinatheatre/index.htm
Coordinates: 34°5′11″N 117°53′25″W / 34.08639°N 117.89028°W
Categories:- Buildings and structures in Los Angeles County, California
- Performing arts centers in California
- Visitor attractions in Los Angeles County, California
- Event venues established in 2007
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