The folks at the Theatre Guild and South East Civil Light Opera are opening up a brand new theater space in spring of 2013. The group is leaving the Liberty Theater on the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
The Theatre Guild and SECLO, long-time residents of the Liberty Theater, has found a new home at 729 Pine, just off 7th St. in Long Beach. “We were at the Liberty Theater for nearly 11 years and we loved the place,” said founder, Jeff Hathcock. “But it’s a 70-year-old building, in bad need of a new roof, heating, air conditioning and other major improvements, and we just weren’t drawing in the audiences like we thought we would. It is hard to compete when you are not on a main street.”
Jeff, his wife Nancy, and daughter Allyson have all enjoyed the time they’ve had at the Base. “It’s been our home for so longand the guards at the gate, the guys at DPW, the higher ups in the front office, they all have made us feel like family. It’s hard to leave them behind,” said Allyson Hathcock.
As much as they say they will miss the Liberty, they are all excited about the new beginnings. Nancy has started a senior theater group that performs for various organizations around the area, and she looks forward to directing upcoming children’s productions of “Pinnochio” and “Dracula.” Jeff Hathcock is busy editing his latest film, while Allyson Hathcock is excited to direct a rock version of “Cinderella” as well as organizing comic burlesque shows to be performed throughout the year.
For more information, visit www.seclo.org or call (714) 827-9141.
