Since 1974, the Moonlight Cultural Foundation has helped cultivate the arts, enhance the natural environment and assist the city of Vista's community service programs through fundraising of gifts and donations.
The nonprofit organization, originally called the Vista Foundation, was formed under the leadership of Frank Tiesen with the mission of working together with citizens to assure a pleasant and rewarding future for the community. The foundation's first official role was as custodian of funds for the construction of an amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park in 1975, as a bicentennial gift to the city of Vista.
The organization has continued to assist with the development of the Moonlight Amphitheatre, the musical theatre is owned and operated by the city of Vista, through fundraising campaigns and events, which have allowed capital improvements to be made, as well as increased the production value of the shows from one year to the next.
“Not to be confused with community theatre, the Moonlight is a remarkable testament to the imagination and resourcefulness of several citizens who recognized the joy that civic light opera would bring to their community,” said Diana Slaughter Aaron, executive director of the Moonlight Cultural Foundation.
In 1995, the city celebrated the opening of the Avo Playhouse located in the downtown Vista Village area, which provides a venue for the winter season shows.
“The foundation promotes philanthropy in North County, benefiting quality theatrical performances at the Moonlight Amphitheatre and Avo Playhouse,” Aaron said. “In addition, the foundation funds youth theatre and educational outreach programs for children to introduce our next generation to the wonders of theatre.”
The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Aaron to discuss the foundation in more detail and its plans for the future.
CBJ: How many productions do you put on each year?
Aaron: The summer season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre has four shows and the winter season at the Avo Playhouse has three. Tickets for all shows can be purchased by calling VisTix at (760) 724-2110 or going online to www.vistixonline.com.
CBJ: What shows are being performed this season?
Aaron: “Route 66,” a musical revue of songs by Roger Bean, is playing at the Avo Playhouse from Jan. 31 to Feb. 24. In this musical cross-county hit, four high-energy gas station attendants sing and dance their way from Chicago to California, with musical styles ranging from the Beach Boys to Elvis. The last show of the winter season is “You Never Can Tell,” a romantic comedy by George Bernard Shaw, playing March 6 through 23.
CBJ: How do you raise funds for the productions?
Aaron: Through partnerships with individuals, civic organizations and businesses that have a passion for theatre and want to support the arts. Designated funds also are raised from grant writing. Grant funds are primarily used to support educational outreach programs. One example would be paying for an actor to teach children in an after-school program at the Vista Boys & Girls Club. With more funds, this program could be implemented in other clubs.
CBJ: What is the purpose of the Moonlight Angels Auxiliary and how is it affiliated with the foundation?
Aaron: The Moonlight Angels is a dedicated group of volunteers whose primary goal is to aide, sponsor, promote and assist the foundation and Moonlight Stage Productions through fundraising and volunteerism. The next fundraising event sponsored by the Angels is an auction and holiday dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center in Vista. The cost is $25 per person. For information on becoming an Angel or attending the event, call Lorna Stofer at (760) 439-7950.
CBJ: Are the services the foundation provides needed?
Aaron: The foundation provides a vital need by supporting theatre. The box office only covers 80 percent of production costs and 20 percent are from the city of Vista, sponsorships and donations. Arts are an important part of all communities. Theatre gives us a fabulous opportunity to see our fellow human beings at our best and worst. Theatre allows us to imagine, create and explore. It entertains, educates and creates opportunities for communication. Theatre is magical and important for people of all ages to experience.
CBJ: What needs does the foundation have?
Aaron: As a nonprofit, donations and sponsors are the key for continued success. There are wonderful benefits for sponsors because their name appears in all of the show programs and on postcards, posters and other marketing materials.
CBJ: How can people get involved?
Aaron: Beginning in 2008, there will be an opportunity to volunteer in the office. Volunteers can range from senior citizens to high school students. There are a variety of tasks to be done, so if you have some free time and want to support fundraising for theatre and youth educational outreach programs, please come give us a hand.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of the foundation?
Aaron: There will be a major renovation of the Moonlight Amphitheatre with a scheduled grand opening for the 2009 summer season. The foundation will launch a capital campaign with the goal of raising $600,000 for state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment.
CBJ: How do you measure success?
Aaron: In many ways. Most importantly, success is measured by achieving our fundraising goals to ensure the continued support of quality theatre productions. Success also is measured by the smiles on the faces of the audience members as they watch a performance. It's the exhilaration of applause at the end of every show. Success is after a musical, when your family is walking back to get in the car, and you hear a child burst into song from a line in the show, and then you hear all the adults start humming along.
Moonlight Cultural Foundation:
PO Box 2497, Vista
(760) 630-7659
www.moonlightfoundation.com
The nonprofit organization, originally called the Vista Foundation, was formed under the leadership of Frank Tiesen with the mission of working together with citizens to assure a pleasant and rewarding future for the community. The foundation's first official role was as custodian of funds for the construction of an amphitheatre in Brengle Terrace Park in 1975, as a bicentennial gift to the city of Vista.
The organization has continued to assist with the development of the Moonlight Amphitheatre, the musical theatre is owned and operated by the city of Vista, through fundraising campaigns and events, which have allowed capital improvements to be made, as well as increased the production value of the shows from one year to the next.
“Not to be confused with community theatre, the Moonlight is a remarkable testament to the imagination and resourcefulness of several citizens who recognized the joy that civic light opera would bring to their community,” said Diana Slaughter Aaron, executive director of the Moonlight Cultural Foundation.
In 1995, the city celebrated the opening of the Avo Playhouse located in the downtown Vista Village area, which provides a venue for the winter season shows.
“The foundation promotes philanthropy in North County, benefiting quality theatrical performances at the Moonlight Amphitheatre and Avo Playhouse,” Aaron said. “In addition, the foundation funds youth theatre and educational outreach programs for children to introduce our next generation to the wonders of theatre.”
The Carlsbad Business Journal sat down with Aaron to discuss the foundation in more detail and its plans for the future.
CBJ: How many productions do you put on each year?
Aaron: The summer season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre has four shows and the winter season at the Avo Playhouse has three. Tickets for all shows can be purchased by calling VisTix at (760) 724-2110 or going online to www.vistixonline.com.
CBJ: What shows are being performed this season?
Aaron: “Route 66,” a musical revue of songs by Roger Bean, is playing at the Avo Playhouse from Jan. 31 to Feb. 24. In this musical cross-county hit, four high-energy gas station attendants sing and dance their way from Chicago to California, with musical styles ranging from the Beach Boys to Elvis. The last show of the winter season is “You Never Can Tell,” a romantic comedy by George Bernard Shaw, playing March 6 through 23.
CBJ: How do you raise funds for the productions?
Aaron: Through partnerships with individuals, civic organizations and businesses that have a passion for theatre and want to support the arts. Designated funds also are raised from grant writing. Grant funds are primarily used to support educational outreach programs. One example would be paying for an actor to teach children in an after-school program at the Vista Boys & Girls Club. With more funds, this program could be implemented in other clubs.
CBJ: What is the purpose of the Moonlight Angels Auxiliary and how is it affiliated with the foundation?
Aaron: The Moonlight Angels is a dedicated group of volunteers whose primary goal is to aide, sponsor, promote and assist the foundation and Moonlight Stage Productions through fundraising and volunteerism. The next fundraising event sponsored by the Angels is an auction and holiday dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center in Vista. The cost is $25 per person. For information on becoming an Angel or attending the event, call Lorna Stofer at (760) 439-7950.
CBJ: Are the services the foundation provides needed?
Aaron: The foundation provides a vital need by supporting theatre. The box office only covers 80 percent of production costs and 20 percent are from the city of Vista, sponsorships and donations. Arts are an important part of all communities. Theatre gives us a fabulous opportunity to see our fellow human beings at our best and worst. Theatre allows us to imagine, create and explore. It entertains, educates and creates opportunities for communication. Theatre is magical and important for people of all ages to experience.
CBJ: What needs does the foundation have?
Aaron: As a nonprofit, donations and sponsors are the key for continued success. There are wonderful benefits for sponsors because their name appears in all of the show programs and on postcards, posters and other marketing materials.
CBJ: How can people get involved?
Aaron: Beginning in 2008, there will be an opportunity to volunteer in the office. Volunteers can range from senior citizens to high school students. There are a variety of tasks to be done, so if you have some free time and want to support fundraising for theatre and youth educational outreach programs, please come give us a hand.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of the foundation?
Aaron: There will be a major renovation of the Moonlight Amphitheatre with a scheduled grand opening for the 2009 summer season. The foundation will launch a capital campaign with the goal of raising $600,000 for state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment.
CBJ: How do you measure success?
Aaron: In many ways. Most importantly, success is measured by achieving our fundraising goals to ensure the continued support of quality theatre productions. Success also is measured by the smiles on the faces of the audience members as they watch a performance. It's the exhilaration of applause at the end of every show. Success is after a musical, when your family is walking back to get in the car, and you hear a child burst into song from a line in the show, and then you hear all the adults start humming along.
Moonlight Cultural Foundation:
PO Box 2497, Vista
(760) 630-7659
www.moonlightfoundation.com