Novato Theater Company's Meeting with City Officials Yields No Quick Answers

There won't be any quick answers from the city of Novato as to where the Novato Theater Company might be able to , but city officials are willing to keep eyes and ears peeled.

That was the assessment of the nonprofit community theater group's board president, Sandi Rubay, after she met with City Manager Michael Frank and Councilwoman Pat Eklund on Monday. The theater company has been a cultural staple in town since 1919 and nobody wants to see it go, Rubay said.

"Michael said he's consulting with his staff and trying to figure something out, and we appreciate that help," Rubay said. "We've looked at everything out there. There's just nothing so far that would work."

Since NTC has chosen to stage its next two performances in San Rafael, that city remains a possible future home, Rubay said.

"We're having to market in the San Rafael area for the next quarter, so it makes sense for us to consider there if something opens up. ... I'm being proactive. I'm going to keep pounding the pavement."

Rubay was elected to the NTC board presidency in April. Other new and returning board members include: Michelle Cronin of Novato, vice president; John Clancy of San Rafael, treasurer; Tracy Bell Redig of Novato, secretary; Kim Bromley of San Rafael, play-reading chair; and member-as-large Brenda Weidner of Novato (past president).

Rubay, of San Rafael, holds degrees in theater arts from Cal State Fullerton and psychology from Cal State Northridge and as well as a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the California Graduate Institute in Los Angeles. After two decades in the field of mental health, Rubay retired and returned to her initial love of theater in 2006.

NTC gave Rubay her first break in the role of Hortense the French maid in The Boyfriend.  Presented at a local church, the theater group had been forced to perform on rented stages because the Novato Community House — in which NTC had performed for more than 80 years — was condemned in 2004.

Rubay volunteered to head the fundraising campaign for the construction of the in time for the 2006-2007 season, and that gave NTC a permanent home until this July 5, when it moved all its props, costumes and gear to a temporary storage spot at .  Management of the shopping center has different plans for the playhouse site.

NTC finds itself in the state of being a vagabond company once again and as the newly elected president she will lead the organization in finding a new home.

“We must leave all our options open,” Rubay said.

NTC is already in production of its next play, Neil Simon’s The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, to open in late August at 3210 Kerner Blvd. in San Rafael.