Oceanside, CA (June 13, 2023) Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC) is thrilled to announce that Kathy Brombacher, a renowned theater and cultural arts leader, has been selected as the recipient of its inaugural Lifetime Theatre Achievement Award. This honorable award has been created by OTC to recognize exceptional excellence in the field of theatre throughout Southern California. Brombacher, Emeritus Artistic Director/Founder of Moonlight Stage Productions and a respected Freelance Director/Theatre Educator, will be presented with this distinguished honor at OTC’s “Sunshine Soiree by the Sea” Saturday, September 16 at The Seabird Resort, where her lifelong impact on the theatre community will be celebrated.
“There is no other person more deserving of this honor than the incredible Kathy Brombacher. In her long standing involvement in the region’s theaters, she has touched the lives of innumerable actors, directors, designers, musicians and others in the theatre arts, as well as entertained more audiences than anyone else in the county, bar none!” said OTC Managing Director, Alex Goodman.
The Lifetime Theatre Achievement Award serves as a tribute to Brombacher’s enduring commitment to excellence in theatre production, performance, and education. Her unparalleled contributions to the theatre world have left an indelible mark on the Southern California community.
“We look forward to creating an opportunity for those individuals Kathy has impacted to join us at the Soiree as we formally celebrate Kathy’s continual and tireless commitment to excellence in theatre production, performance, and education,” said Gloria J. Banks, OTC Board Member and Soiree Chair.
Brombacher’s first involvement with OTC dates back a decade to when she directed The Boys Next Door. She followed that up the following year, directing the critically-acclaimed Lost In Yonkers. More recently, she helmed the OTC/SRT co-productions of Outside Mullingar in 2018 and Lucky Stiff in early 2023.
“I consider Kathy to be a mentor and owe her a great debt of gratitude for everything I have learned from her and the opportunities she has provided me,” said OTC’s Artistic Director Ted Leib.
Brombacher holds a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Redlands and an MFA from the University of Denver. Her teaching/directing experience includes a year at the University of Redlands and 14 years at Vista High School and Rancho Buena Vista High School. Additionally, she served on the board of the San Diego Performing Arts League for four years.
Of course, Brombacher is most known for her 31 years at Moonlight, 22 of which were full-time for the City of Vista as Program Manager in Cultural Arts and Producing Artistic Director of Moonlight Stage Productions at the Moonlight Amphitheatre and the Avo Playhouse, where she left an indelible legacy. Her extensive directorial credits include beloved productions such as Ragtime, the Musical, Into the Woods, Kiss Me, Kate!, and Noises Off! at Moonlight Stage Productions. Her artistic collaborations and unwavering commitment sustained the organization, taking it from a volunteer community theatre to a celebrated professional regional musical theatre organization.
At Moonlight, Brombacher’s contributions extended far beyond the stage. Actively involved in theatre education and community outreach programs, she established the thriving Moonlight Youth Theatre. While under her guidance, Moonlight Cultural Foundation played a pivotal role in supporting programs through fundraising and capital campaigns. Additionally, she oversaw numerous milestones at Moonlight Stage Productions during her tenure. The completion of the Amphitheatre stage house in 2009 and the renovation of the Avo Playhouse into a beautiful rental theater space for the community in 1995 are testaments to her vision and leadership.
Since retiring from Artistic Director duties for Moonlight Stage Productions, Brombacher has directed two musicals for Palomar College, served as co-Artistic Director for Carlsbad Playreaders, directed five productions for Scripps Ranch Theatre, directed four productions for Vista’s Broadway Theatre, directed two musical theatre productions for the Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido, and directed a musical for Intrepid Theatre, as well as the aforementioned plays at Oceanside Theatre Company. Her favorite productions include Ragtime, the Musical, Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods, Little Women, the Musical, Noises Off!, The Foreigner, The Spitfire Grill, Outside Mullingar and Lucky Stiff.
Brombacher’s accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. Her dedication to the arts has earned her multiple awards for theatrical excellence, solidifying her status as a true influencer in the industry. She has been honored with a Craig Noel Award as a “Theatrical Trailblazer” by the San Diego Critics’ Circle in 2005 and a KPBS Shiley Patte Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2006. She currently holds the title of Artistic Director Emeritus and remains an active member of the San Diego County arts community.
OTC’s Sunshine Soiree by the Sea will serve as a platform to honor Brombacher and celebrate her exceptional career in theatre. The event will bring together individuals whose lives she has touched and provide a testament to her enduring legacy.
“I am thrilled to have been part of Kathy’s journey and witness her immeasurable impact on the theatrical arts. This award is a testament to her extraordinary dedication and artistic vision,” said Goodman.
Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC), the resident production company at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theatre, will host an afternoon of food, dancing, entertainment, a paddle raise, silent auction, and a celebration of Brombacher at the luxury Seabird Resort, just steps from the ocean on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 3-6 pm. Information and tickets can be found at OceansideTheatre.org/Soiree.
EVENT DETAILS
WHO/WHAT:
Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC), the resident production company at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theatre will host an afternoon of entertainment, food and celebration at The Seabird Resort, just steps from the ocean.
OTC will also present the inaugural Lifetime Theatre Achievement Award to Kathy Brombacher, Emeritus Artistic Director/Founder, Moonlight Stage Productions; Freelance Director/Theatre Educator for her lifetime dedication to theatrical excellence and her impact on theatre and cultural arts in Southern California.
Entertainment will include music by the Gary Banks Jazz Trio, cellist Bernard Jones, and performances from past OTC productions and concerts.
Gala Soiree Committee Chair: Gloria J. Banks, J.D., OTC Board of Directors
Soiree Committee Honorary Chairs: Jay and Julie Sarno, OTC Board of Advisors
WHEN:
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
3 p.m. – Reception in the garden, hors d’oeuvres, drinks entertainment, by Gary Banks Jazz Trio. Silent Auction bidding opens.
4 p.m. to 6 p.m
OTC Soiree entertainment
Special unveiling of commissioned portrait, honorary tribute program from her students, performers and collaborators, and presentation of the Inaugural Lifetime Theatre Achievement Award to Kathy Brombacher
Live Auction of original artwork and other priceless items and experiences.
Paddle Raise and last chance Silent Auction
Dancing
WHERE:
The Seabird Resort
101 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA 92054
Discounted valet parking and hotel room reservations available upon Soiree ticket purchase
TICKETS:
$125.00 Early Bird, General Admission (theater style seating inside) until July 31, 2023;
$150.00 per person after July 31. VIP Tables (seats 10)
$1,500 – $3,500 (Limited #, premium location)
SPONSORSHIP:
Platinum Sponsorship $15,000 (1 Available)
Gold Sponsorship – $10,000 (2 Available)
Silver Sponsorship – $5,000 (4 Available)
Bronze Sponsorship – $2,500
Current Sponsors include: VisitOceanside (Gold); Mission Pacific (Silver)
TO PURCHASE TICKETS: OceansideTheatre.org/soiree
