SAN DIEGO, CALIF.: Cygnet Theatre has announced that Sept. 10 will be the official opening date of the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center, a.k.a. The Joan, alongside the lineup for their 21st season. The theatre, a state-of-the-art venue and destination for Southern California theatre and performing arts enthusiasts, will serve as Cygnet’s permanent home.
“Our move to The Joan at Liberty Station marks an exciting new chapter for Cygnet Theatre,” said artistic director Sean Murray in a statement. “This state-of-the-art space allows us to bring our mission to life in new and dynamic ways, offering audiences the same exceptional, impactful, and provocative storytelling that we are known for. With the support of amazing donors to build this new center for the San Diego arts, we are thrilled to create a vibrant hub for creativity and connection in the heart of the Arts District, made possible by the passion and dedication of our talented team, board, and staff.”
Nicknamed for the late Joan Jacobs, lead donor of this landmark project and avid supporter of the arts, The Joan is the result of a unique nonprofit partnership between Cygnet and NTC Foundation, who joined forces for an ambitious adaptive reuse project renovating and restoring historic Naval Building 178. The plan retained key original elements while reimagining the space to create contemporary, functional theatres for Cygnet. The Joan will feature the Joseph Clayes III Theater, a 280-plus-seat proscenium theatre, as well as a 150-seat flexible studio space, nicknamed the Dottie Studio Theater for donor Dorothea Laub, as well as state-of-the-art back-of-house facilities, acoustic elements, and more.
Since announcing the project in 2022 and breaking ground in early 2024, The Joan has received significant community support. Cygnet Theatre and NTC Foundation are relying on continued philanthropic support to fulfill the remainder of the needed funds, with the project currently standing at 86 percent of the $43.5 million fundraising goal. Cygnet Theatre and NTC Foundation invite the public to help bring this incredible new venue to life and support Cygnet in continuing to bring world-class performances to the San Diego community for years to come.
“We are thrilled to welcome our audiences to experience Cygnet as they never have before in our new home at The Joan,” said Bill Schmidt, Cygnet executive director, in a statement. “This season marks a new era for Cygnet. We are honored to partner with NTC Foundation in bringing this incredible space to life, allowing us to continue bringing world-class theatre to San Diego.”
Cygnet Theatre Company produces a year-round season of professional Off-Broadway-style theatre as well as thought-provoking and engaging educational programming. Cygnet is committed to maintaining high standards of artistic and fiscal integrity, and serves more than 50,000 patrons annually from San Diego and beyond. An active member of the San Diego community, Cygnet has outreach programs serving tens of thousands of students and community members annually.
