Jungleland Boosters Plan Campaign to Tout Benefits of Arts Plaza

Arts aficionados Saturday began planning a public relations appeal to persuade Thousand Oaks residents that the much-maligned Jungleland auditorium will turn out to be an asset for the entire community.

Under construction after a quarter-century on the drawing board, the Civic Arts Plaza has sparked considerable criticism from residents who worry that the $63.8-million price tag will gobble tax dollars and the two 10-story towers will mar views of the scenic hills.

But at Saturday’s meeting, more than 50 enthusiasts vowed to out-do the naysayers by cheerleading for the 1,800-seat auditorium and 400-seat forum theater, which are slated to open in October, 1994.

Participants tossed around dozens of ideas for the center’s grand opening. One suggestion was to rebroadcast a lion’s roar to evoke the spirit of Jungleland, which was home of the famous MGM lion. Another was to test the theater’s trap door by dropping City Council members to the basement for the delight of opening-day crowds.

Elmer Ramsey, the Conejo Symphony Orchestra’s musical director, suggested, only partially tongue-in-cheek, that the gala include the “Ode to Joy” chorale from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony because “Beethoven’s whole statement is about triumph over adversity, which really represents what this project is all about.”

“Jungleland became a four-letter word around here for a while, and we have to get over that,” agreed Jeanne Stapp. The longtime resident and arts patron promised that doubters would soon appreciate the complex as “the best thing to happen to the city of Thousand Oaks.”

Working with consultants and council members, participants in the three-hour workshop explored ways to ensure that the cultural center showcases a mix of big-name talents and community artists.

Stage rental fees at comparable facilities range from $900 to $4,000 per performance, and local artists lobbied hard for discounts and priority in scheduling shows. If granted the status of “resident company,” Conejo Valley dance, theater and music groups would be able to expand their repertoires, several artistic directors said.

“Facilities like this are so spectacular that they really inspire people,” said Tom Mitze, a consultant on the project. Community groups accustomed to performing in drafty churches or dingy school auditoriums mature and often improve as they grow into new performance space, he said.

Billed as a brainstorming session, Saturday’s workshop left unresolved some key issues, including the theater and auditorium budgets and operating procedures.

Some patrons urged the city to subsidize the auditorium and theater, even though such handouts might violate the government’s pledge that no general tax revenues would be channeled to the arts complex.

“It’s totally unfair to hang performing arts out over here and say, ‘You have to support yourselves,’ ” Ramsey said. He noted that the city subsidizes the library--”and rightfully so, because it serves the whole public. But this will also serve the community, and people are paying to use it.”

A portion of the center’s funding will come from an endowment established by the nonprofit Alliance for the Arts, which has already raised $1.4 million. To encourage smaller contributions from the community, the Alliance plans to sell bricks; patrons who donate a still-undetermined amount of money will see their names inscribed on the center’s outdoor plazas.

“This is the beginning of the excitement,” Mayor Judy Lazar said as the high-energy meeting ended. “It’s taken a great leap of faith to get this far. Now get excited with us and join in the celebration.”