As with any organization, long-term success requires a periodic re-examination of who you are, how you're serving your various audiences, and what your vision and mission are for the future. The theatre group's board of directors started that process last summer with a goal of creating the organization of the future, while at the same time honoring the theatre company's more than two-decade history as a nonprofit organization in Roseville.

What emerged from this process, which included the board, community members and theatre staff, was the determination that the theatre company was ultimately about engaging, entertaining and educating the Northern California community. At the same time, all groups involved in the review were dedicated to creating a broader, deeper vision of service to the community with opportunities for a wide and diverse group of community members to participate. After reflecting on these goals and establishing a re-invigorated vision and mission for the organization, those involved decided to change the theatre company's name to better capture the breadth and depth of what we do today, and what the board of directors sees the theatre doing in the next 20 years and beyond.

Civic Theatre West's board includes Calvin Stevens, board president and performance consultant for Intel; Mike Illic, board vice president and principal at Rocklin Alternative Education Center; Allen Delbrouck, board treasurer and a certified public accountant; Dave Wooldridge, board secretary and IT engineer for Sutter Health; Gary Giacomo, director of communications for the California State Firefighters Association; Nancy Kelley, retired from a career with American Airlines; Brian Lewis, a marketing and branding consultant; Scott Otsuka, president, Infinity Financial Mortgage; Michael Reinero, vice president and chief financial officer at Smile Business Products Inc.; and Gary Rominger, a local arts activist.

While Civic Theatre West remains dedicated to producing popular musicals and top-notch comedies and dramatic performances, we also want to offer a greater diversity of main stage productions that will meet the needs of our increasingly diverse patron base in an ever-increasing geographic area. With this in mind, Civic Theatre West's performance selections may also include unique one-time performances, original works and new genres of visual and performing arts events, all taking advantage of our two incredible historic venues.

Magic Circle has a long history of providing top-notch theatre education programs for children and young adults. As Civic Theatre West, we will continue to build and grow those programs with the goal of becoming an authentic performing arts academy. Our vision for the education of children and young adults includes providing additional programs across the performing arts spectrum, such as training in acting, voice, dance, theatre traditions and theatre culture.

Yes. Beginning with the just-introduced 2010 season, patrons will be able to purchase tickets for main stage productions in two seasonal packages—fall/winter and spring/summer - in a package of six musicals or in a 10-show full season package. This approach recognizes the current challenging economic times and provides season ticket holders with a blend of diverse productions that is designed to appeal to a variety of audience preferences.

Our new name of course requires a new logotype, a new tagline that reflects our premise and tone, and new colors that emphasize our passion for and dedication to the performing arts.

As Civic Theatre West, we're also rededicating ourselves to our rich history of community service as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. We have established a broader, deeper vision of service to our community that includes opportunities for a range of volunteerism and participation. Whether community members would like to be involved in the productions themselves as actors, directors, set designers or costumers, as ushers and greeters at the theaters, as providers of performing arts education or as supporters of an adventurous performing arts environment, Civic Theatre West promises more and varied ways to participate in our community-based nonprofit organization.

Also look for increased communication from your local nonprofit community theatre as we strive to meet the needs of our patrons and fulfill our reinvigorated commitment to community service.