The Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation announced that Oak View Group (OVG has hired John Bolton as the new Senior Vice President and General Manager of the historic Plaza Theatre, which is currently undergoing a major restoration. Previously, the Foundation contracted Oak View Group to manage all aspects of running the historic theatre, including staffing. They will continue to fill other key staff roles at the theatre.
Bolton is currently the senior vice president of OVG. The OVG team consulted with the Plaza Theatre Foundation and selected Bolton, who has already had first-hand experience with the Theatre as the OVG representative of the Foundation’s board. In his new role as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Bolton will continue to serve as an ex-officio member of the Plaza Theatre Foundation’s Board of Directors.
“We could not be more thrilled about John’s selection as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Plaza Theatre,” said J.R. Roberts, President of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation. “I have had the good fortune to work with John as a Foundation board member and I know he is deeply committed to ensuring that the Plaza Theatre will be an important cultural venue for the entire Coachella Valley. I could not think of another person who is as committed and uniquely qualified as John to serve in this important role. On behalf of the entire board, I congratulate Oak View Group for this tremendous positive addition to the Plaza Theatre.”
“The Plaza Theatre is not only an important historic building, but this City asset will also be a key element in Palm Springs’ thriving downtown, as well as our rich arts and culture offerings,” said Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein. “We could not be more excited to have John Bolton at the helm. His experience, expertise and commitment to our community will ensure the Plaza Theatre is something truly special. We are extremely appreciative that John has decided to take this on.”
Bolton was originally brought to the Coachella Valley by Oak View Group to oversee the construction and initial operation of the new $300+ million-dollar Acrisure Arena project as well as the launch of the newest American Hockey League franchise, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Bolton serves on the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating his commitment to local business development and community growth and is also a member of the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, which helps promote tourism and economic development in the region. The Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce recently awarded Bolton their President’s Award for his work in facilitating the new Acrisure Arena project. This recognition highlights his efforts to bring significant economic and entertainment opportunities to the Coachella Valley area.
Bolton is a venue industry icon, having served as President of the International Association of Venue Managers, the world’s largest professional association of venue managers, and Chair of the International Association of Entertainment Buyers, the leading not-for-profit trade organization for live industry entertainment professionals in Nashville. Bolton has won numerous industry accolades, including Pollstar’s Venue Executive of the Year and IAVM’s Venue Excellence Award, which recognizes the top managed venues in the world.
“We are delighted to have John Bolton step into the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Plaza Theatre,” said Greg O’Dell, President of OVG Venue Management. “John’s leadership was instrumental in the success of Acrisure Arena, and his deep expertise, passion, and dedication make him the perfect choice to help bring the Plaza Theatre back to life. His vision and commitment to the Palm Springs community will ensure that the Theatre becomes a cultural beacon for the entire region. We couldn’t be more confident in his ability to lead this next chapter.”
“I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to launch two iconic venues in the Coachella Valley – the Acrisure Arena and now, the Plaza Theatre,” said Bolton. “I couldn’t ask for a cooler experience in a community that I love dearly. The Plaza Theatre’s restoration is not just about preserving history, it is about revitalizing our community and improving the quality of life by providing a welcoming space for the arts to thrive.”
Oak View Group will run the day-to-day operations of the theatre and is already seeking diverse shows to bring to it. It promises a vibrant array of performances, educational programs, and community events. With a focus on emerging local artists and well-known musical and theatre performances, the Plaza Theatre is poised to become a dynamic hub of cultural activity once again.
It is estimated that when the Theatre is operational, it will accommodate approximately 135,000 patrons per year, potentially generating more than $40 million in incremental spending and providing more than $4 million in direct economic impact to the city through sales and transient occupancy taxes. The Theatre will also provide general fund and Measure J revenue through sales tax, hotel tax, and economic impact through direct and indirect spending. Small business support through economic impact downtown and citywide is estimated to be at least $21M annually.
The theatre will also provide community engagement and pride through opportunities to support diverse and educational programming. When the restoration is completed, the Plaza Theatre will serve the community by hosting many kinds of events and productions and will be an exciting venue in downtown Palm Springs for live performances, film premieres, community and educational events, films, and much more.
“We invite all interested parties that would like to use the theatre to explore booking opportunities at [email protected] and be part of this exciting journey,” continued Bolton.
Recent construction milestones include essential structural repairs that have strengthened the building for current building codes, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient HVAC system installation, and successful asbestos abatement. One of the most thrilling aspects of this restoration has been uncovering hidden treasures from the theatre’s past, including original decorative stencil work on the proscenium, which had been concealed for more than three decades. The Plaza Theatre is set to reopen in the late fall of 2025, which will not only celebrate our cultural heritage but also significantly boost the downtown economy.
The Foundation is continuing to raise funds to fully restore the Plaza Theatre. It has already raised more than $16M but must raise at least $10M more to cover the construction costs and contingencies plus startup expenses. Many exciting naming opportunities are available for those who wish to contribute to the restoration efforts. Contact J.R. Roberts at (760) 218-6330 or [email protected] to learn more about naming opportunities. For more information and updates on the Plaza Theatre restoration project, visit www.SaveThePlazaTheatrePS.org.
