McKay, Ann Marie CC
Subject: Laguna Playhouse Subsidy
From: Billy Fried
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2026 10:49 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Cc: Kiff, Dave CM <[email protected]>
Subject: Laguna Playhouse Subsidy
Greetings Council,
As a followup to tomorrow's meeting on the Laguna Playhouse subsidy, I wish to add an element that is not mentioned in the Staff Report.
I met with Director Adle Atkins and Dave Kiff last week to see if we could work out the elements that I deemed unfair to nonprofits' successful use of the venue.
By way of history, when I 1st met with Adele to find a date when we could stage the LAF awards, I was originally told the rental fee would be $1,000. Later, it was changed to $2,800. And then we learned of a bunch of onerous ticketing fees that meant the Playhouse would make twice as much on our event as we would. It wasn't fair and I brought it to your attention. Furthermore, we felt it entirely unfair to be forced to use their ticketing system for the following reasons:
-It is cumbersome, forcing ticket buyers to register with the Playhouse, and enter a minimum 12 character password, something that would be repugnant to many. And then the Playhouse would own, control, and market to our guests without ours or theirs approvals. And finally, throughout the ticketing process, buyers were asked to donate to the Playhouse - not to us! In meeting with Dave and Adele, she agreed to eliminate all the ticketing fees except for the $3 charge that aligns with their own ticketing fees. Adele also promised that, with the new ticketing system, customers would not have to register with the Playhouse and could instead buy tickets as a guest. And that instead of the Playhouse asking for donations in the booking path, it could be us - or any other non- profit. And that they could opt-out from any Playhouse solicitations. I hope you can add that to the requirements. Here is what's in the Staff Report currently:
In the days since January 13, 2026, the City and Playhouse staff have met to try to address a few key issues raised in this case by Billy Fried of KXFM Radio. One was the possible surcharges applied to ticketing, and another was the use of the Playhouse's ticketing system itself. We believe we have resolved these issues this way: a new ticketing software system under consideration will allow both a reduced ticketing surcharge (from $14 to $3 per ticket) and will allow registration as a guest and the ability to make a donation to an entity besides the Playhouse.
I was led to believe that a new ticketing system was not just under consideration, but that it's guaranteed to happen by May. I think it should be a requirement in order to help nonprofits succeed.
Finally - and this is a big one, I think you should have them outline in writing the process by which non- profits can book those 10 weeks of available dates. How are they allocated? When are they allocated? Who gets priority? Are there a maximum number of dates that a single entity can book? I just want this to be fair and democratic, and I believe it's incumbent upon Council to erect some guard rails to ensure the Playhouse is returning to the City the value that you are providing to them.
And I hope you will occasionally audit their operations to ensure they are in compliance.
Thank you for hearing mel
Billy Fried
Executive Director
KXFM 104.7
Laguna's Community Radio
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