Thinking small in the near-term should get people thinking big further out when it comes to Auburn's State Theater as a performing arts center and Downtown Auburn economic stimulator.

With the departure after four years of the Old State Theater movie business from the 78-year-old State Theater last month, the local, nonprofit organization that owns the art deco landmark plans to create a live performance space.

That new space could be in one of the theater's two screening rooms, or in both - with a wall between the two torn down. The first option would mean the theater's first live performances in many years would take place in a small-theater setting, with seating for about 140 people.

Tearing down the wall between the two rooms would create a medium-sized venue with about 500 seats but take some time and cost much more. Leaving the wall up would allow performances as early as March or April.

With the local economy stanching donations to all organizations - not just the State Theater's Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center - the forward-looking way to move ahead would be to stay small.

The 140-seat venue will provide the building to the community quickly at little cost.

But even a small theater will provide a foundation that allows performers an opportunity to test the venue, see what works and eventually settle in.

It will give entrepreneurs an opportunity to book touring acts and gauge Auburn's needs. And it will also provide some answers on the question of how parking around the theater will be addressed.

By the spring, when the new space would be available, Auburn's entertainment community - both performers and audiences - will finally have a chance to see some of their hopes and dreams playing out in a Downtown Auburn performance space.

The Performing Arts Center board - in a weak economic climate - would be wise to wait on proceeding with a larger project. A 447-seat theater with a small stage is already lined up, waiting in the wings, without major funding. And the ultimate goal is to create a medium-sized performing arts venue, with seating for 648, including a mezzanine.

The arrival of performances later this year will provide theater owners with a wider stage to solicit funding for the buildout and share their vision.

Last year's exterior improvements, including the new, neon State Theatre sign and marquee, were a good start to a project that promises to infuse the Downtown Auburn area with new life.

Opening the theater to live performances - with plans to screen movies as well - is a major second step.

The Arts Center's leadership should be praised for the work it has done so far in moving forward without moving too far forward. A debt-laden project banking on future donations, in hindsight, would have been a disaster.

With a building that already has tenants and a revenue stream, the State Theater is moving forward at a steady pace that should reward the patient. A small performance space ready by the spring would be a welcome step in the right direction.

APPAC@att.net

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