MIRA THEATRE GUILD RESTORED
Site banking on variety of shows in 2020
The Bay Terrace Theatre has looked all of its 102 years old at times. But thanks to a concerted restoration effort, the site is slowly emerging as a viable entertainment venue in the shadow of the Highway 37 bridge.
“There is a renaissance underway,” said board member Richard Spann. “We are alive and contributing to the local art scene.”
The Bay Terrace’s umbrella Mira Theatre Guild is moving forward with short- and long-term plans, Spann continued, with the ongoing fundraising for repair and restoration of the theater building and grounds.
A “landmark status” application has been filed with the Architectural Heritage and Landmark Commission, added Spann, easing the way for the former schoolhouse to secure grants.
Spann borrowed a line from the U.S. Army’s Uncle Sam: “The Mira Theatre Guild wants YOU,” he said, encouraging locals to either join the board, become a volunteer, “or be in a show.”
There’s more than enough people in Vallejo to support its relatively few entertainment venues that include the Empress Theatre and Bay Area Stage, hinted Spann.
“Many studies have been done about how multiple arts organizations manage to coexist in the same city,” he said. “Factors include the local cost of housing, demand for the arts, and now artist safety.”
The Mira Theater Guild, said Spann, “is creating an ecosystem for all small, independent visual and performing artists.”
Mira Theatre Guild is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit and has presented performances at the venue since 1947.
The center’s 50-seat Black Box Theatre has been home to several productions, mostly
the Black Box Radio Stars reenacting vintage radio plays and directed by Cristina Arriola.
Mira’s board includes president Paul Whitney, Kittie Cox, Annette Cardin, and Paula McConnell.
“Mira needs love and respect from the city and its citizens,” said volunteer Michelle Whitney.
On the calendar in 2020: “Elixir of Love,” an opera by Gaetano Donizetti on Feb. 2 and 16; Vallejo’s Dedrick Weathersby presenting “Remembering James: The Life and Music of James Brown” on March 5; Christian comic Robert Vogel; a classical piano performance by TingYuan Luo, and the aforementioned Black Box Radio Stars.
Weathersby, a Mare Island resident, said he chose the Bay Terrace “off the simple fact of the enthusiasm of having us there and close-knit values, plus the renovations to the theater and seats.”
Weathersby said he did his first theatrical show, “Praying While Staying Committed” at the Bay Terrace in 2013.
“So it’s coming back home,” he said.
For more, visit miratheatre.org.