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From: Creative Arts
Date: Wed, Oct 29, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Subject: RE: Downtown Theater Foundation for the Arts
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Cc: Lori Wilson , Kris Lofthus , Kris
Lofthus , Wanda Williams
Re: Concerns Regarding Theater Operations Contract Approval Dear Members of the Fairfield City Council,
We, the Creative Arts Collective (CAC) Board, are writing to respectfully express concern regarding the City's approval of the theater operations contract awarded to Mr. David Rodgers.
As former partners in the establishment of the Creative Arts Collective, we believe it is important for the City to be fully informed of relevant history prior to moving forward.
Mr. Rodgers previously served as president of the Creative Arts Collective (DBA Harbor Arts Center at the Suisun Harbor Theater), a nonprofit arts organization co-founded with Dr. Tia Madison. During his tenure, questions arose regarding financial management and the misuse of organizational funds for personal endeavors. The board conducted a review and observed expenditures that raised significant governance concerns. When financial clarification and a formal meeting were requested, the opportunity for resolution did not materialize, and Mr.
Rodgers departed the organization abruptly. 90% of the CAC funds were withdrawn from the account within 24 hours of his resignation from the board, without clear documentation supporting those actions, and the organization faced considerable operational disruption as a result.
While a formal legal process did not proceed, not due to the absence of concern but due to governance limitations inherent in early -stage nonprofit board oversight (we trusted Mr.. Rodgers and did question his governance), the experience underscored the importance of strong transparency, accountability, and due diligence in arts administration.
To further clarify, while concerns were presented to the District Attorney's office, legal proceedings did not advance (and our board was so broke that we could not afford to pursue them through the civil courts). This was not due to a lack of substantive issues but because the DA could not reasonably delineate between Mr. Rodgers' actions and the board's unintended compliance. As a young nonprofit operating on trust rather than rigorous oversight at that time, the board's reliance on Mr. Rodgers's leadership complicated the legal distinction between his financial decisions and board awareness. As a result, the case could not move forward under those circumstances. (See document attached).
We offer this information not to malign any individual, but to support the City in making an informed decision grounded in due diligence, fiscal oversight, and responsible stewardship of
public cultural assets. Effective theater management requires a proven record of transparent leadership and sound financial governance. Unfortunately, the Harbor Theater in Suisun City serves as a cautionary example; under prior management, including Mr. Rodgers' involvement, operations deteriorated, the facility became vacant, and significant capital investment is now required to revive the space. Our nonprofit has worked diligently to regain stability and fulfill its mission in the aftermath of those decisions. We urge the city of Fairfield to safeguard its theater operations by carefully evaluating experience, history, and management practices to protect the long-term success of this important community resource.
The Creative Arts Collective is not aligned with, nor seeking to position itself against, any of the theater organizations that have submitted proposals for this contract. Our concern is not competitive in nature. We stand with the broader theater community and its commitment to sustainable, ethical arts leadership. Our sole purpose in raising these concerns is to help safeguard the future of community theater in Fairfield and the region. We do not want to see another theater struggle or close its doors due to preventable issues such as mismanagement or financial impropriety. The goal is to ensure the long-term health and vitality of theater arts in Solano County —not to influence the selection of any specific operator.
Thank you for your attention and for your ongoing commitment to supporting the arts in Solano County. We are available to provide documentation or answer follow-up questions if needed.
Respectfully,
The Creative Arts Collective Board
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Susan Cavazos
28 Third Street
Spreckels, CA 93962
[email protected]
707-592-1549
November 1, 2025
City Council of Fairfield, California
1000 Webster Street
Fairfield, CA 94533
Dear Honorable Members of the City Council,
I am writing regarding Mr. David Rodgers as a potential renter of the Downtown Theatre. As a former employee of Mr. Rodgers, I feel it is important to share my firsthand experiences so the Council may have relevant information while considering this decision.
I previously worked for Mr. Rodgers as a stage manager. In order to receive wages owed for my work, I was required to take legal action. A court order required Mr. Rodgers to pay overdue wages; payment was delivered approximately three weeks past the required deadline, and the remaining portion was sent approximately one week later as loose, unrolled pennies placed in an envelope.
Additionally, a personal gown of mine — a Belle -style formaUPROM dress — was not returned to me when requested. I stored the gown in Mr. Rodgers' rental unit during my time working for him; however, he stated he did not have it. Because of this claim, the court did not order its return, and I did not recover the gown.
I am providing this information not to make personal accusations, but to ensure the Council has full context regarding my professional experience with Mr. Rodgers. Given the public significance of the Downtown Theatre and the importance of responsible management, I respectfully encourage the Council to conduct thorough due diligence regarding his business practices, reliability, and capacity to responsibly manage a community facility.
Thank you for your time and your continued dedication to our community. I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Susan Cavazos
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Letter for city Council
From [email protected] (Sue Cavazos)
To [email protected]
([email protected])
Nov 4 at 10:4° AM
Due to the inability to drive a significant amount of
time to attend this meeting, I am giving permission
for Andrea Hallahan to read my statement publicly
in front of the Fairfield City Council.
Susan Cavazos
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Letter — -
From: Barbara McFadden ([email protected])
To: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 01:59 PM PST
Hello, I give my permission to have this letter read on my behalf.
Barbara McFadden
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You can let them know that I would have been there but am at a rehearsal for a show, doing what I love to do.
Council Members,
Tonight, you will hear from many voices across our arts community. Some of us work for different companies now. Some serve youth, some lead professional theatre, some build our technical future, some teach. But we all share one truth: we have lived and worked in this theatre, and we have poured our hearts, our time, our talent, and our dollars into it.
This is not about competition. It is not about ego. This is not about one group trying to win. It is about a community trying desperately to protect the cultural heart of Fairfield.
And that community is large, loyal, and informed.
The number of performing artists and arts supporters speaking up right now is not small. It is staggering. Fairfield and Solano County are home to one of the most passionate, active, and nationally recognized musical theatre communities in the region. Families here raise performers. Students train here. Broadway alumni and emerging professional talent work here. The love of musical theatre and live performance in this city is real — and what we bring to the table is unmatched for miles and miles in any direction.
Many who are speaking tonight once worked alongside the individual being considered, and they have since found healthier, more stable artistic homes. Their experiences are real, and they come from lived history — not bitterness. If every artist who had a negative experience had quit the arts entirely, Solano County would have lost dozens of promising performers, designers, and creators. Instead, they found other companies and thrived — and they are here tonight because they care about this venue and this city.
We are concerned that the City is not listening to them.
Because here is a truth this community feels deeply:
When the people who sustain a cultural space — the families, the artists, the volunteers, the donors, the audiences — begin to feel unheard and unvalued, they stop showing up. Not out of anger, but because no one can continue pouring into a place that clearly will not pour back.
What we are seeing gives the impression that the voices of this theatre community — the people who have built this venue, filled these seats, and kept this building alive — are not being prioritized. And if the message becomes, "We don't value this space or the people who made it thrive," then support — emotional, artistic, and financial — will fade. Not by choice, but by consequence.
We want this theatre to succeed. We want Fairfield to remain a cultural anchor in Solano County and the greater Sacramento —Bay corridor. We want to stay, grow, and continue bringing thousands downtown. This community loves this art form — and it has proven that again and again.
So tonight, our hope for this city and this community is simple:
That our City Manager sees a future we do not yet see, knows something we don't about the depth, the history, and the future of the arts here, and understands exactly where the arts truly live in this community — in its people.
Thank you.