COVID No Longer Holds Community Back

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - I don’t know about you, but unless I’m looking for something specific, I don’t usually explore random websites. By random, I mean websites like the City of West Sacramento website or the Parks and Recreation website. Don’t get me wrong, when my kids were in the appropriate age group, I signed my kids up for different programs like basketball. I’ve occasionally looked to see what kind of classes are offered at the Rec Center, and their prices, but that was kind of where I left it.

The city, and each department within it, spend a lot of time to maintain their website. It is the quickest, most efficient way to answer most questions you may have about the city, its policies, projects, regulations and rules or requirements for whatever job you may be facing. It also includes all (or most) of the beauty and fun that the city has available for the community. You can find out about the tree fort park, the bike paths, the parks, sports and classes of all kinds, for all ages.

One of the places where you can find a wide variety of classes, groups, events, art and resources in this city is the West Sacramento Community Center. The Community Center is located at 1075 West Capitol Ave. It’s across the street from City Hall. In the community center there is a small art gallery, a Senior Center, a small museum of West Sacramento, a Bistro and rooms where a wide variety of classes and events are held.

In addition to all of these things that are located on the ground floor, there is a hidden gem that is located on the second floor. It is a Black Box Theater (and is named just that… The Black Box Theater). The term Black Box Theater is common for what’s considered a “flexible theater”. In other words, the whole layout can be rearranged to accommodate a wide number of needs.

The Black Box Theater in West Sacramento is 2,080 square feet and can be rented and set up to accommodate small concerts, theatrical performances, dances, banquets, award and fashion shows, lectures, business conferences, film debuts, workshops, fundraisers, panels, talk shows and more. It can seat up to 145 people, depending on the set up.

The audience seating can be set up on risers, or without. It is generally set up in 3/4 round, but it really just depends on your needs. There are multiple stage options, including that the floor is wood and paintable. The audience seating can be removed and it can become a banquet hall or studio. It all depends on the performance area space that you need.

Various professional lightings are fixed on a full catwalk above and there is space for additional lighting to be attached if the renter has special lighting that the theater doesn’t have. The theater even has UV lighting for special events if needed. The sound system is a five speaker system. In addition, there are eight wireless microphones (4 handheld, 4 headsets). Mike Poe is the professional technician that can help you with any technical questions you may have.

You may have seen the ad space in the West Sac News Ledger a call for bands. Before COVID, the Theater was booked for 51 out of 52 weeks in the year, but COVID shut that down. In anticipation of the pandemic getting under control, the Black Box Theater is beginning to take reservations again. If you visit   https://www.cityofwestsacramento.org/government/departments/parks-recreation/community-center/black-box-theater/theater-rental-information/-fsiteid-1, you can see a selection of photos that portray the vast flexibility for set up. Check it out, you will be surprised!

In addition to the Theater itself, there is a 350 square foot dressing room with 11 make-up stations. The theater offers a variety of stages, a variety of seating options, a variety of lighting options, a projector, a 7-foot-wide screen and a 14-foot wide screen, a podium and tables. There is also a piano, if needed. The theater is wheelchair accessible, and food and drinks are allowed in the theater.

For further information on renting the theater you can visit cityofwestsacramento.org and type in Black Box Theater. There are links you can click on for documentation. You can also call Sam Brinkhuis at (916) 617-5320 or email [email protected]. For technical questions about the space and availabilities you can call Mike Poe and leave a message at (916) 617-5322 or email [email protected].