Saguaro City Music Theatre Will Manage Berger Center
The music theater company takes over operations at the Tucson venue starting this July.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Dance
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Beginning July 1, 2027, Saguaro City Music Theatre will assume management duties for the Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center in Tucson. The transition follows a decision by the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind to relocate its campus to Copper Creek Elementary.
Why it matters
The management shift occurs as the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind manages the impact of a declining student population on its financial sustainability. Saguaro City Music Theatre intends to leverage its long-standing history of inclusive performance to secure new community partners for the venue.
The Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center features a seating capacity of 496 and has been open to the public since 1992. Saguaro City Music Theatre brings four years of experience collaborating with deaf and hard-of-hearing actors at this facility.
The players
Saguaro City Music Theatre
This organization specializes in musical theater and has partnered with deaf and hard-of-hearing actors for four years.
Edward B. Berger Performing Arts Center
This Tucson-based venue houses 496 seats and has served the community since its opening in 1992.
Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind
This educational institution is undergoing a campus relocation to Copper Creek Elementary due to financial constraints.
Sentinel Players
This performance group is slated to host productions at the center during the spring of 2027.
Studio Arts Presents
This arts organization is scheduled to stage a production of The Addams Family at the facility in June 2027.
The details
Saguaro City will oversee day-to-day operations and property maintenance at the center, with an emphasis on attracting new renters for upcoming seasons. The group has already scheduled performances, including Sentinel Players productions anticipated in the spring of 2027.
Timeline
1992: The Berger Performing Arts Center opened to the public.
Spring 2027: Sentinel Players productions are expected at the venue.
June 20, 2027: Actors begin technical rehearsals at the center.
June 26-28, 2027: Studio Arts Presents stages The Addams Family.
July 1, 2027: The new management agreement for the venue takes effect.
Industry Dynamics
The transition reflects a broader trend of arts organizations assuming operational control of specialized facilities facing financial instability. This shift allows community theater groups to fill gaps left by institutional realignments while keeping performance venues active.
Local theatergoers can expect a new slate of programming beginning with upcoming summer performances and spring 2027 shows. Tickets for future productions at the center will be managed through the new Saguaro City operational framework.
The takeaway
This agreement ensures the continued use of the performance center following the departure of its previous institutional operator. Residents should look for expanded rental opportunities at the venue as the new management team seeks to diversify the center's schedule.
Further reading
For more on local performances, visit Tucson Dance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arizona Public Media.
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