by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Two weeks ago, the Claremont Colleges announced it had acquired the 16-acre former home of the Claremont School of Theology for $7.7 million. The sale closed November 15.

Midway through the statement outlining next steps for the property was a mention that TCC had learned November 16 that nonprofit Youth Theatre Works had been utilizing CST’s Mudd Theater for rehearsals for its upcoming winter production.

“Although we were never informed of their occupancy, we immediately started working toward a solution that would support their production once we learned of it,” wrote the statement’s author Laura Muna-Landa, assistant vice president for communications and community relations for The Claremont Colleges Services.

Days later Muna-Landa reached out to the Courier to clarify what TCC did and did not know about the group’s use of Mudd Theater. She said that as TCCS CEO Stig Lanesskog was putting together briefing notes on the sale for college presidents, he became aware that Youth Theatre Works used the theater “from time to time.”

“But he did not know that it was any ongoing type of thing,” Muna-Landa said. “The other thing is, in all of our litigation with the School of Theology, where they had to present things, there was an ongoing pattern of where we found out about different uses going on in that building through our own investigations. And I will also add that with the Youth Theatre Works, they had no actual lease or any sort of agreement. It was a verbal, I guess you could almost call it like a handshake deal with the School of Theology.”

Youth Theatre Works founder Kathy Kilsby did not comment on the nature of the agreement, but contested the claim that TCCS had no knowledge of the group’s presence at Mudd Theatre. The 2023 winter production of “Mary Poppins” was YTW’s sixth show at the venue. In 2024 the group hosted a talent showcase called “Undeniable,” auditions, workshops, and three productions of “The Addams Family,” all at Mudd Theater.

“We also sell out every show and we advertise every show,” Kilsby said. “So, how did they miss us?”

Last year, the Courier reported that YTW began using Mudd Theater for rehearsals and performances in 2021 after striking an agreement with then CST President Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan. The agreement “saw YTW become a registered nonprofit shortly thereafter and submit a liability policy form to the campus to use the theater” Kilsby said at the time. Additionally, Steve Horswill-Johnston, CST’s executive vice president of operations, communications and advancement, wrote in an email that YTW was allowed to use Mudd Theater.

“The building’s theater has been used by hundreds, if not thousands, of groups over the decades,” Horswill-Johnston’s November 14, 2023 email read. “Currently, we are proud to offer YTW the use of Mudd Theater during this time of transition at no charge. The service and arts they are offer to the community and the youth aligns well to our own mission.”

Muna-Landa reiterated in an email that “CST did not share with TCC its arrangement and use of Mudd Theatre space by the Youth Theatre Works.

Asked if YTW ever explicitly informed TCC of its presence, Kilsby said, “We didn’t know it was going to go down until Saturday when we were asked to leave the premises. And we’ve been locked out of the premises ever since.”

Since then, preparing for its winter show has been difficult, Kilsby said, as the group’s production equipment is locked inside Mudd Theater. Rehearsals have taken place at Claremont Community School of Music for the time being.

Talks between TCCS and YTW have been ongoing since last week.

“Youth Theatre Works and The Claremont Colleges are in ongoing discussions for plans to support our winter production,” Shawn Medero, board president of Youth Theatre Works wrote in an email on Tuesday. “As the discussions are still progressing with multiple entities across the entire consortium it is too early to share specific details.”

Muna-Landa also emailed Tuesday.

“The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS) contacted representatives from Youth Theatre Works (YTW) on Sunday, Nov. 17, and then met with representatives on Thursday, Nov. 21, and Tuesday, Nov. 26,” she wrote. “TCCS initiated all calls and meetings. The first meeting (11/21) summarized a comprehensive offer to support YTW’s winter production at an on-campus location and several other supportive measures. The second meeting (11/26) was a detailed logistics meeting with YTW representatives regarding the use of an on-campus theatre. TCCS is awaiting the acceptance of these supportive services from YTW. TCCS has been sincere in its efforts to provide YTW with the resources to continue with its winter theatre production.”

Minutes later Muna-Landa sent a text indicating Scripps College’s Garrison Theatre, 241 E. 10th St., Claremont, would be the site of YTW’s winter productions of “Yuletide Theatre Wonderland” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” at 7 p.m. December 13-14, and 2 p.m. December 15.

More information is at youththeatreworks.com.