Your Impact

Sustaining Excellence for Generations to Come

At the heart of the PCPA Foundation’s mission is a deep and lasting commitment to the long-term success of PCPA. That commitment comes to life most powerfully through the Endowment.

Too often, endowments are misunderstood as savings accounts or emergency funds. In reality, an endowment is more like a perpetual engine—a source of stable, annual support that powers an organization’s mission not just today, but far into the future.

Like a retirement annuity that must provide income for a lifetime, an endowment is designed to provide predictable funding every year, forever. The PCPA Foundation is committed to distributing 5% of the endowment each year to PCPA, providing the freedom and flexibility to apply those funds where they are needed most—from student training and faculty development to performance production and artistic innovation.

Currently, the Foundation’s endowment stands at over $7 million. That means every year, more than $300,000 in dependable support is available to ensure PCPA can continue to produce world-class theatre and train the next generation of performing artists.

The endowment doesn’t respond to the ups and downs of any one season. Instead, it offers a resilient financial foundation—ensuring PCPA’s affordability, artistic excellence, and accessibility are protected for future generations.

This is why building and protecting our endowment is one of the most important investments we can make—not just in the arts, but in the cultural and educational vitality of our community.

When you support the PCPA Foundation’s endowment, you’re helping to preserve the stage for generations.

  • “My time at PCPA has been so deeply fundamental to my career, and to my personal life. My work as a student and intern helped me build both the soft and hard skills needed to be successful in this industry, and without it, I wouldn’t have the amazing opportunities I have now going out into the work force. The people I have met and worked with here are the people I hope to keep in my life forever, not just as references, but as friends and hopefully colleagues.”

    —Frankie Jensen | Technical Conservatory Graduate and Assistant Stage Manager Intern

  • “I am a first gen Filipina from San Diego, California. Looking back at my experience with PCPA’s summer internship program, I can fondly say it was one of the best summers of my life. I was learning and doing what I love while making lifelong friends and memories. The program prepared me for my dream of traveling, which I’ve accomplished through touring with the National Tour of Little Women in 2024. Currently I am with Local 122, where I’ve worked for The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Civic Theater and even Comic Con. My dream roles and spaces I thought were miles and moons away are now an application or connection away and that’s because of the experience and connections I’ve made during PCPA’s summer internship program!”

    —Ashley Rauras | Technical Conservatory Graduate, Electrician Intern and Solvang Lead Electrician Intern

  • “PCPA’s Stage Management internship was an amazing opportunity for me to learn and grow from professionals and community leaders. No two days were the same, helping me learn to truly think on my feet and run around solving problems. PCPA helped ease me into the professional world of technical theater by offering great support, insightful feedback, and strong encouragement to be the best stage manager I could be.”

    —Paige Weisenberger | Assistant Stage Manager Intern and Electrician/Spotlight Operator Intern