The San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre is honored to announce a generous $10,000 gift from the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo in support of A New Stage, the theatre’s capital campaign to build a new, state-of-the-art performing arts venue in downtown San Luis Obispo. The gift will name two seats in the new theatre in tribute to two remarkable Rotarians: Wilda Rosene and John Dunn. Wilda Rosene, who passed away in 2024, was a devoted supporter of SLO REP for more than 30 years and a longtime member of Rotary. Her unwavering dedication and passion for service left a lasting impact on both the theatre and the community she loved.
John Dunn has spent more than five decades working to make San Luis Obispo a better place to live, work and play. A tireless community advocate and civic leader, Dunn currently serves on SLO REP’s Steering Committee for A New Stage, helping to bring the vision of a new theatre in downtown SLO’s Cultural Arts District to life.
The Rotary Club said the following: “At our club, we love when service meets community in creative ways. Past President Lisa Adams chose to use her President’s Club funds to dedicate two seats in the future San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre. One seat is in memory of Wilda Rosene, whose impact continues to inspire. The other is in honor of John Dunn, a dedicated Rotarian who has played a major role in making the vision of the new theatre in San Luis Obispo’s Cultural Arts District a reality. This lasting tribute ensures Rotary’s spirit of Service Above Self will live on in one of our community’s cultural gems.”
“We are deeply grateful to the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo for this meaningful gift,” said Kevin Harris, SLO REP Managing Artistic Director. “Honoring the legacies of Wilda Rosene and John Dunn in our new theatre is a perfect reflection of Rotary’s commitment to service and community. Their names will live on in a space dedicated to creativity, storytelling and connection.”
The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo’s contribution is part of SLO REP’s ongoing Capital Campaign for A New Stage, which is building a new home for the theatre in the heart of the city’s Cultural Arts District. SLO REP and the City of San Luis Obispo have collaborated for more than a decade on the City’s long held vision to establish a bona fide cultural arts district with a new venue for live performances as a key anchor.
SLO REP’s new venue will be built on Monterey Street adjacent to the parking structure now under construction at the corners of Monterey, Nipomo and Palm streets. Groundbreaking is planned for early 2026, as soon as the parking structure is completed, with a grand opening in 2027.
For more information about A New Stage and how to get involved, please visit slorep.org/a-new-stage or contact Development Director Patty Thayer at (805) 592-3190 or [email protected].