PALM SPRINGS, CA (CelebrityAccess) — The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that venue management and consultancy Oak View Group (OVG) will take on the management of the historic theater, including day-to-day operations, programming, and sponsorships.
“This agreement between the City, the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation, and the Oak View Group is an economic game-changer for the Palm Springs destination,” said Scott Stiles, Palm Springs City Manager. “The restoration of the historic Plaza Theatre is a major milestone in the Downtown Revitalization Plan and will bring the world’s best artists and culture to our revitalized downtown. The City of Palm Springs and the Plaza Theatre Foundation offer our sincere thanks to the Oak View Group for their investment in this historic theatre which is now primed to become an arts and culture mecca for residents and visitors for generations to come.”
“All of us at Oak View Group are thrilled to partner with the Plaza Theatre Foundation and its dedicated group of Board of Directors. We look forward to bringing the full breadth and scope of OVG to the table to make this City of Palm Springs asset shine and become a huge community and cultural asset in downtown Palm Springs,” said John Bolton, Senior Vice President, Oak View Group.
The selection of Oak View Group to manage the theater comes as the venue embarks on a major, multi-million dollar restoration to restore the theater to its former glory and update its production capabilities to match modern production requirements.
The planned restoration includes essential infrastructure repairs, installation of new theatrical equipment, and structural improvements to ensure that the building is up-to-date for both fire safety and meets the requirements of the American Disabilities Act.
“Last year, Oakview Group committed to an unprecedented donation of $1 million to the restoration of the Plaza Theatre,” said Kevin J. Corcoran, Vice President of the Plaza Theatre Foundation. “We have been impressed with the launch of the Acrisure Arena and the programming, sponsorship, and management expertise they have brought to the very successful first year of operation. We are deeply grateful that they will generously waive all management fees, which is another example of their continuing generosity and commitment to our success. We could not ask for a more skilled and committed partner.”
When restored, the theatre will host multicultural programming in film, music, live theater, education, comedy, and entertainment, along with local events such as community meetings and support local youth organizations.
As part of the Foundation’s agreement with OVG, the theater will be available for 21 days a year offer public programming at the discretion of the City Council. This programming would include the annual State of the City address, cultural and civic programs, and more.
The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to fully restore the Plaza Theatre, one of the most iconic venues in Palm Springs. The Foundation has already raised approximately $16M but must raise at least $10M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses.
The theater’s restoration is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
