By TR Robertson
It has been a dream for Moonlight Stage Productions and the Moonlight Foundation, for many years, to find a permanent home for both their professional production performers to audition and rehearse and for their youth theatre performers and anyone interested in acting, dancing and musical theatre to take lessons and learn about a variety of performing arts. That dream is now officially a reality with the opening of Moonlight Studios, located at 825 Civic Center Drive in the old Union Bank building. The Vista Chamber of Commerce and Moonlight Studios hosted a Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Saturday as well as tours of the Studio. Moonlight Cultural Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Bradford spoke about the significance of having this studio, which will offer both a practice venue for rehearsals of musicals set for Moonlight Amphitheatre and a place where people of all ages can take a variety of classes in the performing arts. Moonlight Artistic Director Steven Glaudini, in that position since 2013, spoke about his 28 years of involvement with Moonlight and the many locations around the city that Moonlight Productions has used for rehearsals for the musicals that would eventually be on the Moonlight Stage. He pointed out the importance of the new facility in helping with all of their programs.
The Moonlight Studios has actually been in use for several weeks, providing rehearsal and audition space for “School of Rock”, that was recently on the Moonlight Stage, and for the upcoming musical, “Beautiful” that opens this week on the Moonlight Stage. The former bank building was obtained in 2023, and renovations began. A tour of the facility showed the two large dance/performance studios, one the exact same size as the Moonlight Stage at the amphitheater. There is a small kitchen and social area just outside of the large studio. One interesting feature is the former bank vault is now a sound studio where singers or musicians can audition or practice. Upstairs there are storage rooms, dressing rooms, changing rooms and additional restrooms. Just outside of the building the former drive-through for the bank is now a covered patio area with tables and benches to provide more space for those using the studio to take breaks. There is ample parking both behind the building and on the side just off of Civic Center Drive.
After the Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Vista Chamber CEO presented Jennifer with a certificate from Congressman Mike Levin’s Office recognizing the contribution of Moonlight to the Vista Community and Vista City Councilman Joe Green presented a Quality of Life token also recognizing the importance of Moonlight to the community.
The Mission Statement of Moonlight Studios; “Moonlight Studios is dedicated to cultivating a passion for theatre, developing applicable skills, and inspiring future generations of artists by offering quality performing arts education, pre-professional training and professional development opportunities to North County San Diego students of all ages and skill levels in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment”. The Studio will offer a variety of Dance, Ballet, Jazz and Tap classes in many levels. It will also offer Music Fundamentals, Acting, Music Theory, Improv, Musical Theatre, as well as a Tiny Tots programs for ages 5-6. Another group that will use the studio includes Moonlight Youth Theatre. The Youth Theatre program offers 4 full scale productions, a 4-week summer program, 6 workshops and an in-school residency program. In September Moonlight Studios will offer a Musical Theatre Ensemble Singing program, led by instructor Elan McMahan and accompanist Randi Rudolph. For more information on any of these programs go to www.moonlghtstudiosvista.com.
