Mountain View Performing Arts Committee Meeting – November 20, 2025
Mountain View Performing Arts Committee Meeting – November 20, 2025
The Performing Arts Committee (PAC) met to review the annual report of resident company Upstage Theatre, approve the 2026 meeting schedule, form an ad hoc committee for the center's 35th anniversary, and adopt a new California-focused arts proclamation. All actions were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes Approval: The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the prior special meeting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public addressed the committee on non-agenda items.
Discussion Items
6.1 – Upstage Theatre Annual Review (FY 2024–25)
Staff presented the fiscal review of Upstage Theatre, a teen-run nonprofit resident company at Second Stage. Key financials: FY2024-25 total income $24,455 (program revenue $15,019, donations $9,436) against expenses $25,774 (net loss $1,319). FY2025-26 projected income $25,775, expenses $25,878 (net loss $103). Upstage representatives Jax Isakaden (artistic director) and Nikki Lakhani (associate artistic director) presented their season, demographics, marketing (social media growth: +200 Instagram followers, 100,000+ views), and funding sources (ticket sales, Venmo, GoFundMe, cabaret). They noted the company is a 501(c)(3) with an adult board (Bonnie Folk, parent of founder) handling administration. Committee members asked about school representation, fundraising methods, budgeting for rights/space, and the volunteer nature of all teen roles. Upstage expressed confidence in current programming but noted sensitivity to potential fee increases at the center. No formal action required; the review was informational.
6.2 – Approval of 2026 Meeting Dates
Staff proposed the standard schedule (third Wednesday, no July/December). During discussion, member Carol noted February 18 falls during Presidents' Week and may conflict with a gallery reception on the 17th. A motion was made to change the February date to February 25, leaving other dates unchanged. The motion passed unanimously.
- Approved 2026 meeting dates: January 21, February 25, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18.
6.3 – Formation of 35th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee
Staff recommended forming a two-person ad hoc committee to support planning for the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts 35th anniversary (date TBD, likely summer 2026). Members David Donahue and Valerie Bardwaj volunteered and were approved unanimously. The ad hoc will handle outreach and programming ideas, reporting back to the full committee.
6.4 – Adoption of Arts, Culture & Creativity Month Proclamation
Staff recommended replacing the National Arts & Humanities Month (October) proclamation with a California-specific Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) proclamation in April. The committee discussed the shift's benefits (statewide alignment, timing, tie-in to the 35th anniversary). A motion was made to approve the replacement and request that the proclamation highlight the center's 35th anniversary. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will draft the proclamation for City Council presentation in April 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of prior special meeting.
- Adopted 2026 meeting schedule with February date changed to February 25.
- Formed an ad hoc committee for the 35th anniversary, consisting of David Donahue and Valerie Bardwaj.
- Approved the replacement of the national arts proclamation with the California Arts, Culture & Creativity Month proclamation, including a reference to the 35th anniversary.
- Next Meeting: Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 6:15 PM in the Atrium Conference Room. The agenda will include election of chair and vice chair.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, here we go. I'm calling this meeting to order on November 19th. I'm sorry, Steph, are we ready? Sorry. Yes, we are. Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to, yeah. November 19th, 2025, Spanish or Chinese interpretation via Zoom and translations of the material are available at no cost upon request. Please contact the city by 5 p.m. at least two business days prior to the day of the scheduled meeting by phone at 650-903-6608 or by email at MEP at MountainView.gov. This meeting is being conducted with a virtual component. Anyone wishing to address the committee virtually may join the meeting online at mountainview.zoom.us slash j slash 82884578889 or by dialing 669-900-9128 and entering webinar ID 828-8457-8889. When the chair announces the item on which you wish to speak, click the raised hand feature in Zoom or dial star 9 on your phone. When the chair calls your name to provide public comment, if you are participating via phone, please press star 6 to unmute yourself. Roll call. We are all present. Okay. We need the advice. Okay, great. Minutes approval of whatever the special meeting that we had last. I have read the minutes. They looked accurate for what we covered, so I moved to approve. I second that we'll do that. Any discussion? No discussion? All in favor? Aye. Pass the unanimously. On to item 4, oral communication from the public. This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the committee on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes. State law prohibits the committee from acting on non-agenda items. At this time, do we have anyone on? Nobody here. Okay, great. So that's item four. Item five, unfinished business, none. Item six, new business.
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