by Garth Meyer
Little Fish Theatre has moved to Redondo Beach, with remodeling permits pending for interior work at its new location on the Beach Cities Health District campus.
The non-profit is set up in the old hospital’s former Child Development Center. For 21 years, it was housed in a former San Pedro tow yard that is being redeveloped.
The move took place in March.
“Beach Cities Health District has been very welcoming hosts,” said Stephanie Coltrin, Little Fish co-artistic director. “BCHD, like us, understands the arts benefit the health of a community. We are so grateful to have a partnership with them.”
City permits would allow the Theatre to put in seating platforms, a stage, lighting area, and a sound booth, and to redo for adults the former Child Development Center’s restrooms.
Little Fish is using the new space now to rehearse for its annual “Shakespeare by the Sea” performances, which debut June 20 in Long Beach. This year’s free outdoor plays are “Cardenio” and “Henry IV.” (Shakespeare by the Sea will appear in Hermosa Beach July 10-11 at Valley Park; in Redondo Beach July 13 at Dominguez Park and July 14 at Veterans Park; and in Manhattan Beach’s Polliwog Park July 18-19).
“We’ve done a lot of work on the connection between health and art; we’ve had a lot of success with it at allcove,” said Tom Bakaly, Beach Cities Health District CEO, referring to the youth physical and mental health facility in the old hospital. “We think it’s a great connection with Little Fish Theatre. We just like having them in the South Bay.”
The Little Fish lease – which includes office space on the old hospital’s third floor – runs until early 2027, at which time the building is slated to be torn down, due to BCHD seismic concerns.
Before the move to Redondo Beach, Little Fish volunteers had been “packing for months,” Coltrin said.
Compared to their previous 2,000 square foot venue, the new location is “three times as big,” she said, with far more room for storage.
The new theater is expected to have just under 100 seats. ER
