Arts, Culture & Community in Bandon
The City of Bandon coordinates with community partners who facilitate programs, present events, and assist with fundraising for maintenance of the Sprague Community Theater and Bandon Community Center.
About the Sprague Community Theater
The Caryll M. and Norman F. Sprague Jr. Community Theater opened in Bandon City Park in September 2000. Grand opening celebrations included tours and live music. Before the year’s end, audiences enjoyed a Bandon Playhouse production of the musical “South Pacific,” and a presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” by the Southwestern Oregon Community College music department with the Oregon Coast Music Association.
Design and construction of the Sprague Community Theater was led by the Bandon Lions Club. The City of Bandon approved the building site in the city park in 1996. By spring of 1997, the Lions Club committed seed money for conceptual design, and formed the Bandon Community Auditorium Development Foundation to seek donations and grants. Construction began in 1999. The project was directed by Lions members Dan Almich and Ray Kelley. Acoustic design was developed by George Cardas of Cardas Audio. And, countless volunteers assisted with fundraising, offered in-kind donations, even installed drywall.
Inspiration: A slideshow celebration of performing arts at the Sprague Community Theater– See it in our News section . . .
Today, the theater is one of the most enjoyable performing arts venues on the Southern Oregon Coast. The intimate, 246-seat auditorium and exceptional acoustics provide a high quality experience for performers and audiences. The theater is owned and managed by the City of Bandon with the support of the Bandon Arts Council.
Bandon Arts Council Board of Directors
The Bandon Arts Council supports theatrical and functional usage of the Sprague Community Theater, as well as promotion of the facility, through fundraising. The nonprofit organization is led by a board of directors who represent Bandon-based presenters of cultural, educational and community events at the theater.
The Bandon Arts Council is a qualified member of the Oregon Cultural Trust cultural network. Visit our Support page to learn more about gifts to support the Sprague Community Theater and the OCT tax credit program.
BANDON LIONS CLUB
Representative: Roger Straus
Arts Council Chairman
e-clubhouse.org/sites/bandonlionsor
The Bandon Lions Club is a part of Lions Clubs International, a network of volunteers who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities.
BANDON PLAYHOUSE
Representative: Amy Moss Strong
bandonplayhouse.org
For more than forty years, the Bandon Playhouse has provided the best in community theater. From classic musicals and dramas to premiere works by new playwrights, the Playhouse provides a rich foundation for theater arts in Bandon. We are all volunteers, with backgrounds ranging from Hollywood to the professional stage, proudly keeping theater alive in our corner of the Southern Oregon Coast!
BANDON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Representative: Shauna Schmerer
bandon.k12.or.us
The vision of the Bandon Oregon School District is to empower all students to achieve their potential. Bandon schools takes great pride and is recognized throughout the state for the educational opportunities it seeks to provide its students.
BANDON SHOWCASE
Bandon Showcase is dedicated to bringing professional performing artists to the community and providing outreach opportunities for youth.
MARLO DANCE STUDIO
Representative: Maria Merriam
marlodance.com
MarLo Dance Studio is an upbeat, family-oriented place where children and adults can be inspired to express, create, grow and build wonderful relationships, while receiving an in-depth dance and performance education.
NEW ARTISTS PRODUCTIONS
Representative: Anita Almich
Arts Council Secretary / Treasurer
newartistsproductions.org
New Artists Productions is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to the introduction of new young artists to the fields of the performing arts. The existence of this corporation is founded on the premise that there abounds considerable young talent needing an opportunity to be recognized. New Artists seeks to encourage young talent in the pursuit of theater arts while developing Self-awareness, Self-worth, and Self-confidence. The Program is offered at no cost to the students.
CITY OF BANDON
The Sprague Community Theater is owned and operated by the City of Bandon. The city manager and theater facilities manager serve as ex-officio members of the Bandon Arts Council board of directors.
About the Bandon Community Center
Known locally as the Barn, Bandon’s community center has been a community meeting spot for generations. Once a hitching post for dances and social events near Coquille Point, the park and community center have been developed and expanded through the years.
Today, the center is a multi-use facility where residents and visitors can enjoy a variety of programs, celebrations and professional events. Owned by the City of Bandon, the community center is a regular meeting space for the Bandon Lions Club, Senior Activity Center and Coos County Senior Nutrition Program. The facility was remodeled in 2008 with environmentally conscious fixtures and materials. Updated conference and commercial kitchen spaces provide flexible configuration for gatherings large and small.
Visit our Support page to learn about volunteer opportunities and charitable giving.