La Jolla Playhouse is taking its technical theater training on the road with a new mobile program, bringing hands-on theatrical education to schools, juvenile detention facilities, and community centers across San Diego County. This initiative aims to address the limitations of the existing technical theater program, which has served over 400 students since 2014 but was constrained by factors like limited theater space and the inability to visit certain schools or groups.
The mobile program, funded by a Parker Foundation grant and designed to look like a theatrical backstage area, is a significant logistical challenge. It includes a van equipped with storage for tools and materials, theatrical features, and multimedia components. The program's debut at the 2026 WOW Festival at UC San Diego showcased the potential for out-of-the-box thinking.
In its 'soft launch' phase, the program will focus on the county's Juvenile Court and Community Schools, with plans to expand to additional schools and community centers later this year. Students will participate in one-hour or half-day sessions covering various aspects of technical theater, including costumes, lighting, set design, construction, props, and sound design.
Led by trained teaching artists and supported by La Jolla Playhouse staff, the sessions aim to foster creativity, collaboration, and a supportive learning environment. The program's ultimate goal is to expose young people to the arts, inspire joy in creativity, and introduce them to career pathways in the arts and entertainment industry.
Funding for the mobile program has come from various sources, including multi-year grants from the Capdevila Gillespie Foundation and U.S. Bank Foundation, as well as the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Impact & Exploration Fund, Day for Change, and the Samuel H. French and Katherine Weaver French Fund.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in La Jolla Playhouse's mission to bring the arts to underserved communities and provide opportunities for young people to explore their creative potential. As the program expands, it will play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of technical theater professionals and fostering a deeper appreciation for the arts.
