Collection includes materials documenting the early development of the Norris Community Theatre.

The Norris Community Theatre was the first community service project of CAP, the Community Association of the Peninsula (formerly the Palos Verdes Peninsula Community Center Association) which formed in 1978 to obtain facilities and support for recreational, cultural and arts facilities on the Peninsula. Major gifts totalling $3.6 million to launch the project were provided by the Hahn-Florance Partnership, Ernest and Jean Hahn, and the Kennith T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation. CAP raised the remaining $1.7 - 2 million needed to complete the project. Groundbreaking for the 450 seat theatre designed by Anthony-Langford Architects took place in January 1982. The building was completed in the Fall of 1983. A week of programming celebrating the opening of the theatre was held from September 23, 1983 to October 10. The theatre's first manager was Michael Putnam. The Norris Community Theatre, and later the Norris Center for the Performing Arts, and the Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, completed in 1999 directly across the street from the Norris Theatre, now comprise Palos Verdes Performance Arts.

5 Folders

The collection is open for research use.

Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the Local History Center for access information.