Expand options for entertainment

I love having the High Street Arts Center in our city and have enjoyed many of the performances, including the superb current production "On Golden Pond."

It was interesting, inspiring and for me a relief to hear speaker after speaker at the City Council/ Redevelopment meeting on Feb. 20 passionately express opinions and support.

Although there are differing ideas as to how to best utilize the theater, the bottom line is that everyone wants to preserve it and have it enhance our city.

Though it sounded harsh and angered many people, Mayor Hunter may have done a favor with his dismal assessment of the financial picture. It provided a reality check and a call to action, and has launched discussions to find ways to determine if any adjustments can or should be made at this halfway point of the city's commitment to subsidize the theater's costs.

Realistic goals and game plans are needed for a long and successful future, as well as compromises from all who serve the theater in leadership roles to chart its course. The restrictive contract that limits the theater from some moneymaking opportunities should be revisited.

There is a rumor circulating that the mayor has never been to any of the productions. I find that extremely hard to believe.

Certainly it would be great to have a variety of programming; however, big name speakers, performers and concerts cost big money up front and guaranteed in order to come. The coffers are not yet filled up enough to support that goal. On the other hand, the city has liability issues to consider, so the theater cannot be made available to any group who simply expects to plunk down some money to use it.

There is also the issue of quality control. The theater is in a growing phase of building supportive audiences of returning patrons. That is why the phenomenally dedicated manager, L.J. Stevens, is so particular about the high standards of the shows. She knows that people will want to return again and again when they know that nothing less than professional excellence is to be expected.

I think it is possible to expand the audience base and theater usage, yet still maintain the high quality we demand as we strive to get some money in the bank.

Musical or niche group performances should be considered on a case-by-case basis if they make sense financially. I would love to see some fun family type productions, even melodramas, increase. That's what the theater is known for, so why not use that recognition factor to appeal to those would buy tickets for lighter-hearted fare?

I also think running films would bring in audiences. Possibly Friday and Saturday afternoon/night double features with a theme, documentaries, films that tie in with school district or local college curriculum, Mom's Matinees (movies that run during school hours once a week) might be considered as a place to start.

Where there is a will there is a way, and thankfully the community has indicated there is a will. Linda DeMonte Burg Moorpark