Theatre Palisades pushes forward at temporary home after fire

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. (KABC) -- Theatre Palisades Youth director Lara Ganz took us behind-the-scenes at Paul Revere Charter Middle School, which has become a temporary home for the community theater. Theirs burned down in the Palisades Fire, leaving behind an empty hole.

"We were all in shock, but there was something about when the theater was on the news," she said as she got choked up.

While Lara lives and breathes theater, she knows that for the young actors, it's their second home, their happy place.

"Parents saying my kid didn't cry when they saw their house burn, but when they saw the theater burn, it was like, the hardest part, in some ways because it meant this community, would be gone," she said in tears.

She knew the only way to get through it, was to push forward, and they've been able to thrive thanks to open doors at Paul Revere Charter Middle School and LAUSD, where Ganz also is the spring musical director.

"I felt like it was really important to keep them in our area, our local area, our local school so that they didn't go elsewhere," said Paul Foxson from Paul Revere Charter Middle School in Brentwood.

For the close-knit theater group, it became therapy.

"We took each other's hands and we just kind of stood and faced it together. -BUTT WITH- 9:54 this has brought us, as Palisades kids closer than anything ever could have," said high school junior Zoe Baserga-Rudd.

One rehearsal at a time, one show at a time, they've been able to keep the theater alive.

"Being all together again has really helped maintain a sense of normalcy," said high school senior Ingrid Knap.

"I don't think the building was what mattered, but what was inside of the building," said Callun Ganz, a high school senior and son of the theater director.

They found that moving forward together - as a community - has given them hope and healing. While they all share a passion for the stage, they also share a common trauma, all revealed in a beautiful piece of art.

"It's already an emotional show, but to have that connection with the fire and like, with each other, what we've been through, I'm gonna have to bring my tissues," said volunteer parent Emily Culbertson.

The show Hadestown finishes up this weekend. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at theatrepalisades.org/youth.