People and Faces You Should Know
As General Manager of the Madrid Theatre on Sherman Way, Denise Leader Stoeber wears many hats. At any given time, she might be found in the concession stand selling the famous Madrid brownies, taking tickets at the Will-Call table, handling props backstage, designing postcards, ads, and mailings, or showing prospective renters around the beautiful Madrid. Since taking her position in July of last year, Denise has
quadrupled the number of performances at the theatre, ensuring that the lights are on at least four or five evenings a week, whether for performances or rehearsals. She has taken as her personal mandate the mission of the Madrid to present cultural events that reflect the interests and diversity of the community, and to actively participate in the life of the community.
To that end, the Madrid recently renewed its membership in the Chamber of Commerce, and Denise regularly brings flyers and brochures to the monthly breakfasts, encouraging Members' attendance at Madrid performances by offering discounts on tickets. She is also on the Board of Main Street Canoga Park, and
has facilitated the Madrid's participation in numerous community events, including the Valley Artists Studio Tour, Dia de Los Muertos, Cinco de Mayo, and the St. Patrick's and Memorial Day Parades.
The Madrid is also home to the Valley Cultural Center's Monday Morning Concerts - a series of free concerts for Children given every Monday during the summer months. Denise is currently seeking additional funding to extend those concerts throughout the year and to also offer a similar series for older folk: Wednesday Afternoon Concerts for Seniors. Debuting this October will be a series of three concerts by the newly-formed Valley Cultural Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble of local professional musicians, under the baton of Tony Kissane. Denise is seeking the sponsorship of local businesses for this venture!
Denise encourages local performance groups to utilize the Madrid's stage for their productions, recently hosting such diverse groups as the Rangoli East Indian Dance Company, the Thalia Hungarian Theatre Studio, The Rozanne Zimmerman Ballet Company, and of course the
Golden Performing Arts Company, whose musicals have long been a favorite with Madrid audiences. Golden PAC recently established a new record at the Madrid with
three sold out shows in a single weekend!
Currently, the Madrid is presenting its first extended commercial run: "Orgasms, The Play," which will run through the month of August with an expected extension through September. In addition, on Wednesday, July 28th,
the Madrid served as a location for an independent film starring teen heartthrob Aaron Carter. A red carpet was laid from Sherman Way into the theatre, as Aaron's limo pulled up and the star made his way through a crowd of screaming fans and paparazzi. During the 16-hour shoot, the young singer performed on the stage surrounded by specially installed lighting and a haze of fog.
Neighboring local businesses benefited from the filming in increased sales and/or use of their facilities. The entire block felt like a movie set.
Since the Madrid must become self-sufficient by the end of its three-year lease with the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, it is Denise's hope to bring at least two or three commercial productions and more film production to the Madrid. In that way, she hopes to be able to subsidize her
ambitious plans for more free or low-cost productions.
###
