Call for Performing Arts Organizations, Madrid Theatre, 100th Anniversary Grand Opening Celebration

Madrid Theatre 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration – November/December 2026 Date TBD Issued by the Performing Arts Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA|PERF”). I. Introduction The Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA”) seeks to enter into a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with six (6) qualified performing arts organizations (“Organization”), that can show a connection and/or performance history with the Madrid Theatre, to perform, and deliver one family-friendly twelve (12) to fifteen (15) minute performing arts piece in the genre of dance, music, theater, culture, or a fusion of multiple performing arts, for the Madrid Theatre 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration in Canoga Park. II. The Division DCA|PERF serves as the heart of the City’s support of live dance, music, theater, and digital media platforms, offering Angelenos low-cost rental opportunities at six professional, DCA-managed, performing arts centers and two public/private partnership theaters.  At the core of its mission, DCA|PERF also produces world-class programming locally, providing catalysts for economic development, community engagement, and civic education and pride. When producing its programming, DCA|PERF uses independent, peer-review panels to select artists who respond to calls, and who create and present programming across the City. DCA|PERF’s community-focused programming shapes attitudes, counters cultural stereotypes, and inspires creativity. Both DCA|PERF’s programming and rentals at its performing arts centers play an essential role in stabilizing LA’s artistic ecosystem and nurturing the revitalization of our City’s creative communities. III. The Program 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration Originally built in 1926 by N. Schelenberg and M.P. Horwitz as a silent motion picture house, the Madrid Theatre has had a vast and alluring history. At the time, Canoga Park was known as the town of Owensmouth, and the Madrid Theatre was a 600-seat house with an extravagant organ from the Robert Morton Organ Factory of Van Nuys. It continued as a motion picture house, and in 1939/40 it became known as the Canoga Theatre. By the mid-1960s, however, the theater had settled into a new direction, and a new name, the Park Theatre, focused on showing adult films. It later become part of the Pussycat Theatres chain and was known as the Park Pussycat Theatre until closing in 1994 due to the Northridge Earthquake. The City of Los Angeles acquired the property, demolished the old structure, and built the Madrid Theatre as we have come to know and love it today. It reopened on December 12, 1998, as a live performance venue designed by FSY Architects and owned and operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA). Today it continues to be owned and operated by DCA and is currently undergoing a second renovation. Designed by the renowned architecture firm Gensler, the City moves it into the 21st Century with a Mid-century Modern style. The City anticipates opening its doors to the public in 2027 with brand new audio and LED lighting systems, a custom designed curtain created by artist Wendell Wiggins, new seating, newly relocated restrooms on the first floor, digital marquee and posters, and a totally reimagined and redesigned 2nd floor lobby known as the De Boer Lounge. The 100th Anniversary Grand ReOpening is scheduled to occur at the end of November or beginning of December 2026.  It is a community celebration to honor the theatre’s history and stewardship of the Performing Arts in the community of Canoga Park. IV. The Scope of Services Madrid Theatre’s 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration The Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division (DCA|PERF) seeks performing arts organizations to represent the variety of performing arts that have historically been a part of the history of the Madrid Theatre to be honored and celebrated at the 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration as part of the Canoga Park identity and legacy.  The proposed twelve (12) to fifteen (15) minute acts can be in one or more of the following performing arts genres: youth and/or adult dance, music, theater, and/or culture performing arts.  All works proposed must be original works not previously performed and be designed for family friendly audiences. Selected performing arts organizations will be responsible for creating an original performance, overseeing the creative talent, working efficiently with Madrid Theatre Technical staff, and the on-site execution of the performance on the scheduled date of the grand reopening. Each Organization is responsible for the following (including, but not limited to): Create and rehearse one (1) original twelve (12) to fifteen (15) minute group performance piece --with at least five (5) performers-- in one or more of the following performing arts genres: dance, music, theater, and/or culture performing arts for the event that supports the historical celebration of performing arts in Canoga Park. Provide the organization’s BTRC (City of LA Business Tax Registration Certificate) by the beginning of April. Provide rough video footage of performance idea at the end of May 2026. Provide a sketch of the costume design and if you will be using your own lighting designer at the end of June 2026. Submit relevant payment documentation —including the organization’s W-9, electronic payment paperwork, Waiver & Indemnity Form, Scope of Work Invoice and any other required paperwork—by the beginning of July. Provide 100 words or less bios, official roles, and headshots for all performers, creators, directors, and artists involved in the performance piece, plus provide updated rough video footage of performance piece and Photo/Video release from of all performers by mid-September. Provide final video footage of the performance piece and a mp3 digital copy of recorded music, if being used during performance, plus a ten (10) second snippet of the piece and five (5) professional quality photographs for promotional purposes by the beginning of October. Provide introduction information including, but not limited to, official name of organization, name of organization’s Director, name of the piece being performed, time length of piece, and name of choreographer or creator, plus a finalized list of performers and any missing photo/video release forms by October 26, 2026. All organizations and performers must attend the show run through in full hair, costume, and makeup TBD (to be determined) in early November. All organizations and performers must attend the technical rehearsal/ dress rehearsal day TBD (to be determined) in either November or December, dependent on the performance date TBD.  This will be a full day commitment. All organizations and performers must attend the 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration on a date TBD (to be determined) in either November or December. Actual date will be released no later than September 2026 Work collaboratively with Madrid Theatre staff and technical crew to define and oversee staging needs , including lighting, sound, stage cues, and designated seating and changing areas for the performance. Organizations are responsible for all costs related to creating, costuming, and performing the piece; a flat commission will be awarded to organizations chosen through a peer review panel and will be distributed in the weeks following the performance.  Organizations must be able to meet deadlines, collaborate with city staff and local partners, and produce safe, inclusive, and family friendly performing arts pieces. V. Fees For the completion of the above services DCA|PERF will pay the all-inclusive honorarium listed below. 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration in Canoga Park – Date TBD November/December 2026 [$500 honorarium for six (6) performing arts organizations] A one day celebration centered on the performing arts history of Canoga Park at the Madrid Theatre featuring live performances, a video montage, community social networking, a celebratory toast, food and refreshments to create an unforgettable evening of dance, music, theatre, and culture for all ages! The City of Los Angeles does not front-fund projects. Payments will be made when the Organization meets all deliverable benchmarks. The final payment will be made after the completion of the project, the Organization meets all necessary criteria, and may take up to four (4) months to be fully disbursed. VI. Application Process Recipients of 2025-2026 Grants from DCA are not eligible to respond to this call. Only one application may be submitted per Organization. Proposals must include a description of the work to be created.  All styles of performing arts are welcome. Video samples such as B-roll and/or still photographs from previous, similar events may be attached to submitted proposals. All entertainment, costumes, and decor must be suitable for audiences of all ages. A complete application consists of answering all the questions below and submitting the required documentation to casandra.reyes@lacity.org by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026 . The subject line should read 100 th Anniversary. Response proposals must include the following [Rating value]: Contact information for the primary Curator; A 100-word description of the proposed performance piece; [20 points] A 100-word historical description of the organization’s relationship and experiences with the Madrid Theatre; [10 points] Rough draft costume concept envisioned by the applicant; [10 points] Examples of relevant past projects and examples of prior work and pertinent materials in digital formats or web links. [10 points] The highest total score that can be reached by peer-panel review is 50 points. VII. Selection Criteria and Process DCA|PERF will review submitted proposals for completeness and qualifications. Selection for a contract award will be made based on meeting the following criteria: • Responsiveness to the specifics of this call; • Expertise and experience of Organization in providing similar services; • Creativity and innovation of past work history. Organizations may apply for more than one call, but each application will be reviewed separately. Given the historical value associated with the Madrid Theatre, DCA|PERF is seeking Organizations with a history of providing authentic services within Canoga Park and neighboring communities whenever possible. DCA|PERF also encourages the submission of proposals from underserved and/or underrepresented Organizations owned by minorities, women, immigrants, and veterans. DCA|PERF does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration of these commissions. The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer. VIII. The Fine Print The following terms and conditions apply to all responses to this call: 1. DCA|PERF reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted; to select one or more responding parties; to void this call and the review process and/or terminate negotiations at any time; to select separate responding parties for various components of the scope of services; to select a final/parties from among the proposals received in response to this call. Additionally, any project elements, requirements, and schedules are subject to change and modification. DCA|PERF also reserves the unqualified right to modify, suspend, or terminate at its sole discretion any aspects of this selection process, to obtain further information from any responding parties, and to waive any defects as to the form or content of this call or any responses by any party; 2. This call does not commit DCA|PERF to award a contract, to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a response, or to contract for any services. All submitted responses become the property of DCA|PERF as public records. All proposals may be subject to public review, upon request, unless exempted as discussed elsewhere in this call; 3. By accepting this call and/or submitting a proposal in response thereto, each responding party agrees for itself, its successors, and assigns, to hold DCA|PERF and its affiliated entities, the City of Los Angeles, and all of their various agents, commissioners, directors, consultants, attorneys, officers and employees harmless from and against any claims and demands of whatever nature or type, which any such responding company, its representatives, agents, contractors, successors or assigns may have against any of them as a result of issuing or revising this call, conducting the selection process and subsequent negotiations, making a final recommendation, selecting a responding party/parties or negotiating or executing an agreement incorporating the commitments of the selected responding party; 4. By submitting responses, each responding party acknowledges having read this Fine Print in its entirety and agrees to all terms and conditions set therein; 5. Responses shall be open and valid for a period of three (3) weeks from the due date. IX.  Schedule Call Issued Monday, January 26, 2026 Deadline for Submissions Sunday, February 22, 2026 Selection of Organizations / Contract Awarded Monday, March 23, 2026 Mandatory 100 th Anniversary Grand ReOpening Celebration virtual meeting Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 12:30 p.m. Term of Contract Begins Monday, September 7, 2026 Term of Contract Ends Monday, December 7, 2026 Proposals must be received no later than 11.59pm on Sunday, February 22, 2026 . DCA|PERF is not obligated to consider proposals received after this date and time.