SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Spokane Valley Summer Theatre canceled its 2026 season after the Central Valley School District could not guarantee access to University High School venues the theater had reserved and paid for, according to a press release.
SVST had secured dates for three musicals and nine summer camps after a donor covered a 500% increase in rental costs. However, the district canceled dates at the request of district personnel.
“CVSD also informed us it could not guarantee any dates or times reserved and paid for by SVST for the summer,” the theater said.
The district denied SVST’s request to move to Central Valley High School without explanation, according to the announcement.
The cancellation affects 12,000 potential ticket holders, 200 children, and 150+ theater practitioners who will lose work opportunities, SVST said. Four full-time and several part-time staff will not continue.
SVST continues fundraising for the Idaho Central Spokane Valley Performing Arts Center, having raised $2 million of $15 million needed.
“Without the building, there is no future for SVST,” the organization said.
SVST will proceed with “A Big Band Christmas Around the World” Dec. 19-21.
View the original SVST press release here.
SVST also answered questions regarding the 2026 cancellation.
Read their answers here.
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