Center Stage Players didn't start out as a theatre company, it started out as a drama club. A club for individuals who's passion was anything to do with theatre. In 2006, CSP founder Thomas M. Walker III decided to turn his drama club into an actual theatre company for the public, with the hopes that one day his childhood dream of having and running his own theatre, would become a reality; and so he took the leap and incorporated.
In order to incorporate, a board of directors was needed. So with the help of a few close friends, CSP's initial board of directors was formed. At this stage of things, CSP still did not have a regular rehersal or performance space, but part of that would change immediately. One of the officers on the board offered the use of her backyard in which to hold all rehersals for productions, events, etc. Thomas was somewhat sceptacle about using a backyard instead of an actual theatre for rehersals, but to his amazement, this non-theatrical setting proved to be a good one. Being in a more personal setting allowed those involved in a production to not only feel more at ease (for some it was their first time acting in, or working on a theatrical production), but to feel a sense of family.
The next step, Thomas Felt, towards becoming a professional theatre, was to have CSP become a member of the San Diego Performing Arts League; and so it came to pass. Still in the beginning stages of things, CSP did not have it's own home theatre venue in which to perform. This was a bit limiting. It prevented CSP from being able to plan an entire season of productions as well as being able to offer season subscriptions to it's growing list of regular patrons.
CSP continued to rent out space on a show-to-show basis from other local theatres when available. These other theatres not only rented out their venues, but joined in the sharing of the dream, by helping to promote productions via their own patrons, inside their production programs, advertising, etc. Things were going great, and only getting better for CSP. Productions were proving to be a success with the public. This was not only due to the great acting skills of the actors/actresses, but also to the talent and skills of the production crew. CSP was truly blessed and honored with the help of some of the best set designers, costume designers and light/sound techs in San Diego, all of which vollunteered their time.
Now the only thing CSP did not (and still does not) have, was/is our own home theatre venue. In order to obtain and maintain such a venue, would require large sums of money. This however, would only be made possible thru tax deductable donations/contributions and grants. In order for CSP to receive such, it would have to be a 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit organization. Having to survive from one show to the next (each production paying for the one to follow), CSP never seemed to have the funds to apply for the 501(c)3 as the filing fee was quite expensive; therefore, this much needed step had to continue to be postponed.
Over the last couple of years, CSP had no choice but to dim the lights and close the curtain temporarily, as funds had run out. However, Thomas was not going to let his dream die. So, with the continued help of a fellow board member, and with funds out of his own personal pocket, he has kept CSP hanging on by a thread on the very bottom rung of the theatrical ladder. Finally, in the summer of 2011, thru a kind and generous personal donation from another board member, CSP was finally able to apply for our 501(c)3.
In late October of 2011, the long awaited news arrived; CSP had been granted tax exempt status by the IRS, and is now officially a 501(c)3 public charity non-profit organization. We are now able to begin obtaining the necessary funding needed to finally be able to get our own home theatre venue, and to continue to bring quality entertainment to the San Diego and surrounding communities.
CSP continues to believe and opperate on the thought that, thru one man's dream the door will open to fullfill the theatrical dreams of many others.
