‘The show must go on’: Valley theaters receive millions as part of American Rescue Plan

Valley theaters, museums and other venues are set to receive millions as part of the American Rescue Plan.

Desert Theatreworks in Indio is just one of several valley theaters that was forced to shut down during the pandemic.

“We’ve been closed for 14-15 months,” said Ron Phillips, CEO, Desert Theatreworks. 

The community theater will be receiving $250,000 dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan — specifically the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG). Phillips says they’re now able to reopen and their first show is set for October. 

“The community is really excited once they heard we were reopening. We got a lot of calls congratulating us. They’re excited to get back to seeing live shows,” he said. 

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz visited the theater on Thursday. Back in December of 2020, he voted to help establish the grant and worked to secure additional funds for the program.  

“It means that the owners can have peace of mind, that their employees can stay at work and that they can call people back to work,” said Dr. Ruiz. 

In addition to Desert Theatreworks, the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert is receiving $3.8 million. The Palm Springs Air Museum is receiving nearly $1 million and the Mary Pickford Theater in Cathedral City is receiving $2.6 million. 

“For us the $2.6 million really helps us not only get caught up from what we were deficient on last year, but also it helps us pay for operations this year to a certain degree,” said Ted Hane, General Manager, Mary Pickford Theater. 

Valley venues say these dollars are keeping their doors open, keeping hope alive and bringing back some of what was lost amid the pandemic. 

“Music and the performing arts really connects our humanity. And we need more humanity now more than ever,” said Dr. Ruiz.