Carpenter Family Theatre opens at WHS

Renovated WHS theater renamed to honor Carpenter family

A donation from local arts philanthropist and musician Richard Carpenter and his wife, Mary, has led to the renovation and renaming of Westlake High School’s theater.

The name Carpenter Family Theatre was approved unanimously at last week’s Conejo Valley Unified School District board meeting.

Carpenter and his sister Karen formed the musical duo Carpenters and had many hit songs in the 1970s.

The Westlake High School theater, which was constructed at the time the school was built in the late 1970s, now has additional seating and improved audience sight lines, state-of-the-art lighting, audio and video capabilities, enhanced acoustics and all-new interior surfaces and finishes.

The $4-million theater was paid for with the Carpenters’ donation, CVUSD Measure R bond and state modernization grant funds.

Construction on the new theater began in June 2009 and will be finished early in May. The theater’s ribbon-cutting and first performance will be May 27.

The Carpenters were involved in the design and planning for the project.

“The theater will be a fine addition to our facilities, serving the students of WHS and the performing arts community,” said principal Ron Lipari. “A special thank-you to Richard and Mary Carpenter for their generous contribution.”

Richard and Mary Carpenter have five children and live in Thousand Oaks. They have been active members in the Conejo Valley arts community, sponsoring the annual Richard Carpenter Scholarship through the Alliance for the Arts, a talent competition awards show spotlighting student performers in middle school, high school and college. Applications are reviewed and finalists in dance, vocal and instrumental categories are chosen and then compete for scholarships.

The Carpenters have also directed other donations toward the performing arts programs at Westlake High School and the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. A 3-acre park in front of the plaza was named for the Carpenter family following a $3-million donation to support the program.

The donation was made through the Conejo Schools Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising organization for the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

“The positive impact of the Carpenter family gift will be felt on the Westlake campus and in the community for years to come,” said Mike Soules, the foundation’s president. “During these challenging economic times, I hope this will encourage and inspire others to join with the Conejo Schools Foundation to support and protect our great public schools.”

CVUSD policies state that facilities may be named after living individuals or an existing organization or corporation only if a “substantial tangible contribution” has been made to the district.