Edhat Staff
State Senator Monique Limón, along with Assemblymember Steve Bennett, presented $1.5 million in State Budget Funding to the Rubicon Theatre Company on Saturday.
The funding will support building renovations that include accessibility access, kitchen repairs, and equipment upgrades.
The theatre is located at 1006 E Main Street in Ventura and the professional theatre company is a not-for-profit that showcases theatrical productions, festivals, special events and educational programs.
“This gift is the most significant in Rubicon’s 25-year history, and we could never fully express our gratitude to Senator Monique Limón, Assemblymember Steve Bennett, Governor Newsom and the State of California. It comes at the perfect time as we celebrate our Silver Anniversary and begin to plan for ways Rubicon as an institution can serve future generations of Ventura and California residents. The funds provided will help us upgrade our technical equipment and complete a kitchen renovation which will enable us to expand and diversify our programming and encourage new audiences and participants to ‘cross the Rubicon,’” said Karyl Lynn Burns, Rubicon Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director.
This is the theatre company’s first investment from a government entity in their 25 year history and the second investment in live performing arts that Senator Limón secured in the 2023-2024 State Budget.
“The arts are an essential part of our lives and Rubicon Theatre has been dedicated to providing access to the performing arts and educational opportunities in Ventura County for 25 years,” said Senator Limón. “Rubicon has shown continuous commitment to providing opportunities for all to be inspired by live theater. I am proud that I was able to secure this critical funding to ensure our community can continue to enjoy what the Rubicon has to offer.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of being a season ticket holder to the Rubicon Theatre for nearly two decades,” said Assemblymember Bennett. “The contributions the Theatre makes to our community are enormous, and this investment will allow the Rubicon to expand their impact.”
The Rubicon Theatre Company has won numerous regional and national awards including a prestigious Drama Desk Award for “Outstanding Revue,” the L.A. Drama Critics’ Circle Margaret Harford Award for “Sustained Excellence,” 15 Ovation Awards and the Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s Poinsettia Award for Non-Profit of the Year. Most recently Rubicon staff member, Katharine Farmer won a Santa Barbara Indy Award for her direction of The Last Train to Nibroc.
Really!? Is a local theater truly what our state tax dollars should be spent on? Especially when our budget is tens of billions in the red! Even though I like theaters like this, IMO stuff like this is inappropriate for our “leaders” to spend our hard-earned money on. It is more appropriate for the local volunteers to raise funds from donations.