Bee Cave EDC approves $125,000 request to support Magnolia Musical Theater’s SpongeBob production

The Bee Cave Development Corporation voted unanimously Feb. 25 to approve Resolution 2020Five-four, granting funding to Magnolia Musical Theater to support its planned production of SpongeBob the Musical.

Executive Artistic Director Andrew Kanata presented the organization’s three-year history and financial request. Kanata said the group sought $125,000 to help mount the production, which the application described as running June 1 to Aug. 16; Kanata also told directors the show’s built-sets and performances will require on-site construction beginning in June and nightly performances in July and August. He said the theater’s approved budget for the year is $375,000.

Kanata told the board Magnolia Musical Theater drew large audiences in prior seasons, citing about 12,500 attendees for Beauty and the Beast and roughly 11,500 for Footloose. He said the company’s audience survey captured ZIP codes from 52 unique areas and suggested that roughly 79 percent of attendees came from outside the city of Bee Cave. Kanata said the group typically seats between about 550 and 600 people per performance on average and has reached approximately 1,000 for some shows; for SpongeBob he estimated nightly seating between 750 and 1,000 and projected total season attendance in the 12,500–15,000 range if there are no weather cancellations.

Kanata and Chelsea, the EDC administrator, gave the board a breakdown of Magnolia’s funding mix. Kanata said audience donations historically brought in about $55,000 and that the Hill Country Galleria contributed about $30,000 last year. He named cash and in-kind supporters mentioned in the application packet and presentation, including Susser Bank, Edward Jones, H‑E‑B, Home Depot, Target, RO Builders and local business partner Kim Ortiz. He also said the organization has applied for grants that will not be decided until late spring and that certain major grant programs require organizational history (he identified the National Endowment for the Arts as requiring five years of history and the Texas Commission on the Arts as a possible $75,000 grant later this year).

Kanata described fundraising challenges: rising costs for lighting, sound, trussing and materials (he cited double‑digit increases), higher insurance and personnel costs, and strong in‑kind support that does not cover payroll for actors, musicians and production staff. He and his wife pledged $75,000 personally toward the production and said the organization will continue applying for grants and pursuing sponsors.

Directors asked about the ZIP code methodology and attendance metrics. Kanata said survey QR codes were distributed and volunteers encouraged audience members to complete a short survey that included ZIP code and age-group questions. He also said the organization asks for a suggested audience donation (about $10–$15 per person) but does not require payment for admission.

A director moved to approve Resolution 2020Five-four; a second followed and the motion passed without opposition. The application packet and the presentation were entered into the record as the basis for the board’s consideration.

The board’s action authorizes the EDC to enter into the statutorily required performance agreement with Magnolia Musical Theater and to proceed with the public-notice and city-council steps required before funds are disbursed.