La Jolla Playhouse is taking its technical theater training on the road, quite literally. With a new mobile program, the institution aims to bring hands-on technical theatrical training to schools, juvenile detention facilities, community centers, and other youth- and military-serving organizations across San Diego County. This initiative is a significant step forward for the technical theater program, which has been operating since 2014, serving over 400 students in fields such as lighting, props, and sound. However, its reach was previously limited due to factors like limited theater time and space, and the inability of some schools and groups to visit the playhouse.
Bridget Cavaiola Stone, La Jolla Playhouse's director of learning and engagement, explains that the new mobile program is a logistical challenge, but one that will bring the backstage of a theater to schools in an exciting way. The vehicle, funded through a Parker Foundation grant and decorated by Show Imaging Inc., is a mobile lab that includes storage for tools and materials, theatrical features, and multimedia components. It made its debut at the playhouse's 2026 WOW Festival, a natural fit given the festival's focus on out-of-the-box thinking.
The mobile program is currently in a 'soft launch' phase, with a full rollout planned for early 2027. Its initial focus will be on the county's Juvenile Court and Community Schools, with the goal of reaching additional schools and community centers later this year. Sessions will be led by trained teaching artists with support from La Jolla Playhouse staff, offering one-hour or half-day explorations of costumes, lighting, set design, construction, props, and sound design.
The program's success is measured by its impact on young people's creativity, collaboration, and support for each other in a fun and supportive learning environment. It also aims to expose students to career pathways in the arts and entertainment industry, something that has been a goal of the program since its inception. The funding for this initiative came from multi-year grants, including the Capdevila Gillespie Foundation, U.S. Bank Foundation, National Alliance for Musical Theatre's Impact & Exploration Fund, Day for Change, and the Samuel H. French and Katherine Weaver French Fund.
This mobile program is a significant step forward in La Jolla Playhouse's mission to bring the arts to underserved communities and provide opportunities for young people to explore their creative potential. It's a testament to the institution's commitment to making a difference in the lives of its students and the broader community.
