Small, Local Theatre to Break Ground in Old Town

By Dwane Brown / KPBS Evening Edition Anchor/Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published January 3, 2008 at 5:00 AM PST

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

A small but highly regarded theater company in San Diego has a second venue to call home. Cygnet Theatre plans to break new ground in Old Town. KPBS Reporter Dwane Brown has the story.

In its short five year history, Cygnet Theater has gained attention for it's off Broadway mix of American classics and small scale musicals. The performance company is based near San Diego State University.

It currently uses a 157 seat facility on El Cajon Boulavard. Now Cygnet has signed a 10 year lease to operate the larger vacant Old Town Theatre as its second space. That's where "Forever Plaid" and "Forebidden Broadway" had long runs.

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Cygnet's artistic director says the same kind of work will be done at both theaters. The company plans to open in Old Town by the fall and alternate productions between the two spaces.

Dwane Brown KPBS News.

Dwane Brown

Brown started his career with KPBS in the early '90s as a radio anchor and reporter before expanding his broadcast news experience at CBS radio and television in New York. He’s been a news director, anchor, reporter and correspondent in San Francisco and has worked as a writer, producer, assignment editor and talk show host. He returned to KPBS in 2005. As the former anchor for KPBS Evening Edition, Brown provided an in-depth look at issues and stories relevant to San Diego. He spent nearly seven years as anchor/host of Morning Edition on KPBS Radio. Between 2006 and 2010, the San Diego Press Club named Brown "Best Morning Newscaster" in San Diego Radio. In 2006, the Society of Professional Journalists also named him "Best Morning Newscaster." During that time he managed and taught a two-week high school boot camp for aspiring radio reporters at KPBS in conjunction with the California Chicano News Media Association. Brown studied English/Journalism at San Diego State University and is a Fast Trac graduate from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. He’s a popular public speaker and Toastmaster International member. He’s been master of ceremonies for the American Red Cross, VA Medical Center San Diego, Urban League, San Diego Office of Emergency Services and numerous foundations. Brown is also a voice actor for movie, documentary, television, radio and Internet projects.

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