Theater History

A Storied Stage in the Desert

The history of performing arts in Borrego Springs often surprises those unfamiliar with this unique desert community.


In 1950, actor Lon Chaney Jr., of the famed Hollywood family, founded Borrego’s first community theater group. Performances by the Little Theater Group were held for intimate audiences at the Hoberg Resort Hotel (now The Palms at Indian Head), which in its prime welcomed legendary guests like Marilyn Monroe, Bing Crosby, and Marlon Brando.


In 1952, Paula "Polly" Baker, also known as Paula Dale of New York City's Greenwich Theater, took up the theater tradition left by Chaney. In 1955, her group successfully staged Years Ago, a play written by Ruth Gordon, and was invited to perform it for patients at the San Diego Naval Hospital.


The group reorganized in 1954 as the De Anza Players, with Polly Baker as producer-director. Barbara Bartko, who brought theater experience from Cleveland and Long Beach, became deeply involved by 1961. Bartko served as both president and artistic director until 1971, directing over 50 plays on the wing-less proscenium stage at Borrego Springs Elementary School.


In 1978, the inactive De Anza Players helped launch a new group: the Sunrise Players. Organized by Lisa Bruce and Joan Wright (daughter of Warren and Toni Young), the Sunrise Players debuted with Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit in 1979 at the Elementary School. Under the artistic direction of professional actor Jared Fey, their second production, The Grouch by Menander, was staged at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park’s Palm Canyon campfire center and later performed at the North County Renaissance Faire.


With strong support from the community and key fundraising efforts led by Betty Stout, Jared and his wife Rosemary Fey elevated Sunrise Players into a high-quality theater group. Their most ambitious project, a musical production of Oliver!, involved more than 130 cast members from both Sunrise Players and Borrego Springs High School. Proceeds from Oliver! even allowed the group to donate $1,000 to the school’s Associated Student Body. Jared Fey remained the artistic director until his passing in 1985. Rosemary Fey led the group’s final production, To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, in 1987.


Thanks to the efforts of Dori Holladay, then general manager of La Casa del Zorro, Borrego Springs’ theater scene expanded further. In May 1987, the Little Fox Dinner Theater opened at the resort’s Kiva Room. Under the leadership of Jacqueline Kerr Dye — a professional actress and founder of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter Theatre — the Little Fox produced live performances, including Some of These Days in 1990. This original musical, based on the later years of famed entertainer Sophie Tucker, featured songs composed by Borrego resident and renowned Hollywood composer George Duning, along with Gayle Dunne.


In 1991, a major milestone was reached. Varina French, founder of the Borrego Dance & Fitness Center, collaborated with Jimmy Corsaro and Sharon Andrews of Way-Off Broadway Productions to establish the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC). Together with original board members like Virginia Perrin, Jere Hansen, Collette McKee (head of Children’s Theater), George Duning, Rose Grant, Susan Wetzel, Frank Murillo, and Richard Plunket, they transformed the former Borrego Springs Movie Theatre into a 177-seat live performance venue. Robie Evans served as the Artistic Director and Ray Evans as the longtime Technical Director, with Austin Custodia leading the Artistic Direction from 1997 to 2010. Board member Tony Reilly later continued BSPAC’s tradition of live productions, directing plays for the 2012–2013 season.

Throughout the 1950s and beyond, Borrego Springs became a favorite hideaway for Hollywood’s stars — many of whom left their mark on the community’s artistic legacy.


Today, thanks to generations of dedicated performers, directors, and community supporters, the performing arts continue to thrive in Borrego Springs.

​During the 1950's, Borrego Springs was a favorite hideaway for Hollywood stars, including:


[1] Borrego Springs' Honorary Mayor
[2] Borrego Springs' first Honorary Mayor
[3] Founder of community theater in Borrego Springs



[1] Borrego Springs' Honorary Mayor
[2] Borrego Springs' first Honorary Mayor
[3] Founder of community theater in Borrego Springs