Spokane Valley, Washington – Spokane Valley Summer Theater is undergoing a major metamorphosis as it becomes part of the proposed Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, which is scheduled to open its doors in 2024.
The Spokane Valley Summer Theater has been very successfully producing musical theater and organizing theater summer camps and classes since its founding in 2016.
Last summer’s “Little House on the Prairie – The Musical” was performed outdoors at Mirabeau Park Center because of COVID and it got rave reviews. Buy tickets for Spokane Valley Summer Theater’s 2022 season.
That location is just a stone’s throw from where the Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center is to be built, on five acres along the Spokane River.
The Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center will be a 59,000 square foot facility with a 475-plus-seat main stage and a 200-seat studio theater, and it will have the newest technology available for a professional theater. The proposed building has beautiful tall arches reminiscent of the Metropolitan Opera House in Manhattan, and includes open event spaces, meeting facilities and beautifully landscaped surroundings. And 300 free parking spots.
Not only will the Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center give Spokane Valley and Spokane a professional theater space of the highest quality, it will also become the new home stage for Spokane Valley Summer Theater, which can then begin producing plays year round.
The Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center is the brainchild of Yvonne A.K. Johnson who is the founder, executive and artistic director of the Spokane Valley Summer Theater.
COVID did not stop Johnson from launching a spirited public fundraising campaign together with Dr. Marnie Rorholm, who’s the director of development for Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, and a small group of advisers.
When the Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center went public with its plans and fundraising efforts in November of last year, it was about one-third the way toward the fundraising goal of $36 million. A grant from the Avista Foundation will go toward founding of the center.
The campaign is going full speed ahead with plans to break ground in August.
In the meantime, Spokane Valley Summer Theater announced its 2022 season featuring “Bridges of Madison County,” “Newsies” and “Sister Act."
At Avista, we recognize our unique position gives us the chance to contribute in an impactful way and make a real difference in people's lives. Since its establishment in 2002, the Avista Foundation has made grants totaling over $12 million. The foundation focuses its giving in the areas of vulnerable and limited income populations, education, and economic and cultural vitality.