Tucked in between the Carlsbad train station and State Street, New Village Arts (NVA) is an unassuming theater with big dreams. Founded in 2001 as a nonprofit theater group, NVA is the brainchild of the husband and wife team of Kristianne Kurner and Fran Gercke, who now serve as executive director and artistic director, respectively, of the theater.
The theater, which opened in late June, is the culmination of years of work by Kurner and Gerke to bring such a venue to the Village.
Graduates of the Actors Studio Drama School in New York, the pair dreamed of opening a theater in Carlsbad when they moved to the West Coast in 2001.
“Carlsbad was the first choice because my family has lived here for over 50 years,” Kurner said. “We thought the Village would be the perfect place (to have our theater).”
Without a performance building of their own, the budding theater group relied on the generosity of Jazzercise, which allowed them to perform in the company's large studios.
For five years, NVA grew their audience and perfected their art in the Jazzercise studios.
“We became the most awarded company in North County … and we built a really loyal audience,” Kurner said.
After searching many years for the perfect location to serve as a permanent home for their theater, the pair approached the Carlsbad City Council about the empty building on State Street. The space was granted to them and approval was given to transform it into a theater.
“I think for the company the beautiful thing about (the new theater) is we are going to be able to do full seasons,” said Jessica John, producing artistic director with NVA. Prior to the theater opening, NVA performed partial seasons because of space restrictions.
The theater was built as an intimate performing studio, allowing viewers close access to performers, giving the feeling of being in the play.
“We feel that the theater is one of the few places … that you can create community,” Kurner said.
The new theater received a warm reception from community members, Kurner said.
“The presence of New Village Arts in the Village provides a much-needed aspect to the Village,” said Andrea Korogi, director of small business development for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
As an entertainment venue, the new theater compliments the mix of established restaurants and shops in the Village, Korogi said.
“I think everybody is really realizing it's a good thing (to have a theater here),” Kurner said. “As people know that we're here … it's really going to help create this very vibrant area.”
To christen their theater, NVA will perform Julius Caesar Aug. 9 through Aug. 19. It is a free production, tickets for performances can be obtained before each show.
The theater, which opened in late June, is the culmination of years of work by Kurner and Gerke to bring such a venue to the Village.
Graduates of the Actors Studio Drama School in New York, the pair dreamed of opening a theater in Carlsbad when they moved to the West Coast in 2001.
“Carlsbad was the first choice because my family has lived here for over 50 years,” Kurner said. “We thought the Village would be the perfect place (to have our theater).”
Without a performance building of their own, the budding theater group relied on the generosity of Jazzercise, which allowed them to perform in the company's large studios.
For five years, NVA grew their audience and perfected their art in the Jazzercise studios.
“We became the most awarded company in North County … and we built a really loyal audience,” Kurner said.
After searching many years for the perfect location to serve as a permanent home for their theater, the pair approached the Carlsbad City Council about the empty building on State Street. The space was granted to them and approval was given to transform it into a theater.
“I think for the company the beautiful thing about (the new theater) is we are going to be able to do full seasons,” said Jessica John, producing artistic director with NVA. Prior to the theater opening, NVA performed partial seasons because of space restrictions.
The theater was built as an intimate performing studio, allowing viewers close access to performers, giving the feeling of being in the play.
“We feel that the theater is one of the few places … that you can create community,” Kurner said.
The new theater received a warm reception from community members, Kurner said.
“The presence of New Village Arts in the Village provides a much-needed aspect to the Village,” said Andrea Korogi, director of small business development for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
As an entertainment venue, the new theater compliments the mix of established restaurants and shops in the Village, Korogi said.
“I think everybody is really realizing it's a good thing (to have a theater here),” Kurner said. “As people know that we're here … it's really going to help create this very vibrant area.”
To christen their theater, NVA will perform Julius Caesar Aug. 9 through Aug. 19. It is a free production, tickets for performances can be obtained before each show.