(top) Oscar winning actor Dustin Hoffman speaks during a press conference at Santa Monica College's Performing Arts Center on Thursday, March 6, 2008. (above) Left to right: Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, The Stage Artistic Director Dale Franzen,Santa Monica College President Chui L. Tsang, Philanthropists Eli Broad and Oscar winning actor Dustin Hoffman take turns speaking during the press conference on Thursday.
Continuing a tradition of extraordinary generosity and major contributions to the cultural and civic life of Los Angeles, philanthropists and arts patrons Eli and Edythe Broad announced today they have given $10 million to create an endowment for programming and arts education at the new Santa Monica College performing arts center.
In honor of the gift from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the new modernist steel, stone, glass and wood performing arts center will be named The Broad Stage and The Edye Second Space. The Broad Stage, which will open on Sept. 20, is an intimate 499-seat state-of-the-art theater that will present renowned artists and world-class operas, symphonies, musicals, dance companies, film and theater, under the leadership of artistic director Dale Franzen. The Broad Stage and The Edye Second Space are part of the school's tradition of community service, providing programming, master classes and special events for the public as well as for the K-12 and college levels.
The Broad Stage combines the intimacy of a small theater with the acoustics and staging of a grand hall. Built with a variable proscenium and a stage comparable to theaters four times the size, The Broad Stage was designed by Santa Monica architect Renzo Zecchetto. Inspired by the intimacy of Italy's "horseshoe" opera houses, the new theater allows eye contact with the actors, musicians and dancers from any seat in the house.
The idea for the performing arts center was first raised nearly a decade ago at a dinner party at the home of Piedad Robertson, then-president of Santa Monica College, attended by the Broads, Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, who now chairs The Broad Stage's artistic advisory board, and former opera singer Franzen. The Broads became involved in the project last year after seeing the innovative complex under construction along Santa Monica Boulevard.
The idea for the performing arts center was first raised nearly a decade ago at a dinner party at the home of Piedad Robertson, then-president of Santa Monica College, attended by the Broads, Oscar-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, who now chairs The Broad Stage's artistic advisory board, and former opera singer Franzen. The Broads became involved in the project last year after seeing the innovative complex under construction along Santa Monica Boulevard.
The Broad Foundations were established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Eli Broad to advance entrepreneurship for the public good in education, science and the arts. The Broad Foundations, which include The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and The Broad Art Foundation, have assets of $2.5 billion. The Broad Foundations' Internet address is www.BroadFoundation.org The Broad Stage is located at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th Street, Santa Monica, California.