SPOKANE VALLEY SUMMER THEATRE

It is with deep sorrow that Spokane Valley Summer Theatre announces cancelling plans to produce another season in 2026. 

 

SVST recently announced plans to produce another season in 2026 featuring three mainstage musicals and nine summer camps after a generous donor stepped up to cover our 500% rental increase with the Central Valley School District. Working with CVSD, we secured dates needed for rehearsals/performances/camps at University High School and got the go-ahead to finalize those plans in the district’s online reservation system, Facilitron.

 

In the last few weeks, through several emails, CVSD has adjusted/cancelled dates and theatre access SVST originally secured at University High School due in part to recent requests made by district personnel to use the facility. Most critically, CVSD also informed us it could not guarantee any dates or times reserved and paid for by SVST for the summer. 

 

Without guarantees of dates and times, it is not realistic and a massive financial/operational risk for SVST to plan a summer 2026 season at UHS. No theatre in the country can operate or plan without date and location guarantees. We understand that the district has 100% of the power and control of the theatre spaces, and while the district should have top priority in using the space, it is not possible for an outside group to rent it, knowing that at any moment that agreement can be dissolved.

 

The scheduling conflicts are at UHS. SVST asked to instead use Central Valley High School (as it has for previous seasons). We were told by the district that was not an option with no reason given. There are no other viable spaces to rent that have the facilities we need as a professional theatre organization.

 

The impact of not having a 2026 summer season is far reaching:

• 12,000 ticket holders will NOT see our shows.
• ​200 children (plus their families) will NOT be enriched by our summer acting conservatory camps.
• 150+ practitioners including actors, musicians, stage crew, directors, choreographers, teachers, interns, etc. will NOT receive work or opportunities by SVST to use and share their talents. 
• 4 full-time staff will NOT continue working in addition to several part-time staff.

 

SVST has produced high quality, professional productions and summer camps for over a decade in space rented through the CVSD. In that time, we’ve had unprecedented growth, success and been good community partners of the spaces. SVST has known it needs a permanent home, and we’ve been working diligently to complete building the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center. We continue to fundraise and, to date, have raised $2M of the $15M in investment funds needed to restart construction. We are at a critical point. If the building is built, SVST can be resurrected once the performing arts center opens. Without the building, there is no future for SVST. 

 

SVST is still moving forward with its holiday production, A BIG BAND CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD. We hope you can join us Dec 19-21 to celebrate the season and 10 exceptional years of SVST. Tickets at the link below.

 

To donate OR invest in The Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center go to: icsvpac.com