The Old Globe Honors Rosemary Pope with Center Renaming

The Old Globe, a prominent theater institution in San Diego, has officially renamed its 30,000-square-foot theatrical technical center to honor local community leader Rosemary Pope. The announcement was made during a ceremony on October 6, 2023, highlighting Pope’s extensive contributions to the southeastern San Diego community, particularly in support of seniors and low-income families.

Artistic Director Barry Edelstein expressed that renaming the center after Pope not only recognizes her impact but also reaffirms The Old Globe’s commitment to the vibrant neighborhood it serves. “By naming our technical center after one of the pillars of southeastern San Diego and a beloved icon of our city, we reaffirm our commitment to this vibrant neighborhood,” Edelstein stated. He acknowledged Pope’s role as one of the earliest supporters of The Old Globe’s community-based programming.

The facility, now known as the Ms. Rosemary Pope Old Globe Technical Center, was established in 2008 and serves as the site where staff create scenery for productions on the theater’s three stages in Balboa Park. The center also features an engineering area for specialized machinery, a prop-painting room, and storage spaces for various theatrical items.

In addition to the renaming, The Old Globe plans to enhance its outreach efforts at the center. This includes offering tours, workshops, and career-training programs aimed at engaging the local community. The Arts Engagement program will introduce “Behind the Curtain” workshops taught by technical designers from The Old Globe, and middle and high school students will be invited to participate in guided tours of the facility. A new technical apprenticeship program, developed in partnership with local service organizations, will provide recent high school graduates with hands-on experience in technical theater jobs.

During her speech at the ceremony, Pope reflected on her decade-long collaboration with The Old Globe, which has included organizing theater performances at the George L. Stevens Fourth District Seniors Resource Center and distributing tickets to community members for Globe productions. She emphasized the transformative power of the arts in strengthening community ties and fostering creativity.

“What began as a shared vision has blossomed into a decade-long journey of inspiring creativity, deepening community ties, and elevating the role of theater in our lives,” Pope remarked. She expressed gratitude to The Old Globe for its unwavering support and collaboration. “This partnership has shown what’s possible when the community and creativity walk hand in hand,” she added.

The renaming and the expanded outreach initiatives reflect a broader commitment by The Old Globe to engage with the community and promote the arts as a means of connection and transformation. The legacy of Rosemary Pope will now be linked to a space that fosters creativity and collaboration in southeastern San Diego.