This post was updated Feb. 17 at 7:37 p.m.

After the loss of its theater in the Palisades fire, the Theatre Palisades community is uniting to ensure its curtains will not stay closed.

Theatre Palisades has served the greater Pacific Palisades community for over 60 years. On Jan. 10, the community theater was set to open its production of “Jest a Second!” This opening night would not come to fruition, however, as the theater was destroyed on the first day of the Palisades fire. Philip Bartolf, Theatre Palisades’ president, said the site is now unrecognizable.

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“There is absolutely zero left of the hundreds of prop and set pieces that we had, the hundreds of costumes that we had,” Bartolf said.

Although the theater is no longer standing, Bartolf said its community is stronger than ever as it organizes to secure the legacy of the historic space. He added that the theater’s welcoming environment has drawn in many since its opening in 1963, as it has provided a space for local creatives to hone their craft.

“Not only does it attract people who live in 90272, but it attracts … actors – people from outside the area, from frankly across the county – who fall in love with the place,” Bartolf added.

Founded by television writers Jacquie Chester, Ken Rosen and Sheldon Stark, Theatre Palisades opened with the intention of incubating new works. Over the years, its repertoire has expanded to include traditional works as well as a program for the community’s children, TPYouth. Bartolf said the programming for TPYouth will continue, now at the nearby auditorium of Paul Revere Charter Middle School and Magnet Center.

Martha Hunter, a UCLA alumnus, is the head of Theatre Palisades’ social committee, a producer for the theater and a member of the board of directors. Hunter said she has been involved with the organization for 20 years after auditioning for a production at the theater in 2004. As a Palisades resident, she said the loss has been unimaginable.

“I’ve lost both of my homes – my own home and my theater home,” Hunter said. “It’s heartbreaking.”

Reflecting on the organization’s impact, Hunter said she credits Theatre Palisades with bringing theater to the local community. She added that even before the fire, many residents would consistently turn up in large numbers to support the organization. Whether they were attending the productions or volunteering to aid the theater’s operations, the community stayed actively involved, she said.

“It really felt like a family,” Hunter said. “The people who worked on the lighting and the sets and the hospitality in the lobby are like family. They really were. They still are.”

While Theatre Palisades is hoping to rebuild, Hunter said there will need to be substantial fundraising to do so.

Firdosi Wharton-Ali, a UCLA alumnus and Theatre Palisades board member in charge of special events, said her perspective on her role has changed since the events of the fire. She said she is now treating any production the theater may be able to put on as a special event. She is doing what she can to ensure as much turnout as possible for the upcoming TPYouth production at Paul Revere, she added.

Despite the recent challenges, Wharton-Ali said she remains just as committed to the theater as she has always been. She added that her family has resided in the Palisades for 40 years, and Theatre Palisades was instrumental in her development as a young artist. She said her efforts toward rebuilding the theater are in part driven by hope of continuing the artistic legacy of the Palisades.

“I miss the town more than I miss my home and all the contents inside that were decimated,” Wharton-Ali said. “So, anything that gives my town back its glory – because it’s a really spectacular place to live, and a lot of that is fueled by creatives – that’s the kind of stuff I want to work towards.”

Following the fire, Bartolf said that the theater’s immediate plan is to find new spaces in which the 2025 season may continue. He added that Theatre Palisades’ sister theater in Westchester, Kentwood Players, has offered its playing space. Bartolf said he is incredibly grateful for this act of kindness during this tumultuous time, Bartolf said.

“They’re giving us two weekends in June where we will be able to put on nine performances of the play that should be running now,” Bartolf said. “So that’s been very, very heartening.”

Looking ahead, Bartolf said Theatre Palisades is now focused on keeping its name out there in any way possible. While the organization has suffered an extraordinary loss, Bartolf said he is intent on maintaining the theater’s enduring impact. He added that despite its future being unclear, he is determined to find any way to continue the operations of the theater.

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Regarding the community’s reaction to the fire, Wharton-Ali said the outpouring of support for Theatre Palisades has been extraordinary. She added that the aid received is indicative of the sense of belonging theater can foster.

“What’s beautiful about community theater is … the wealth of it is not measured in anything monetary. It’s simply in what you can give to the community,” Wharton-Ali said.