Trinity Theatre Will Open New San Diego Stage October 16
The company secures a five-year lease in Miramar after being displaced from its previous retail mall location.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Trinity Theatre Company will debut its new 9,700-square-foot facility on October 16, 2026, following a forced relocation from Mission Valley. The space includes specialized rehearsal rooms and a technical shop alongside a flexible theater area.
Why it matters
The move demonstrates the operational volatility arts organizations face when operating in retail-anchored spaces, where lease terms can be cut short by commercial property shifts. This transition reflects a broader pivot toward dedicated industrial sites to bypass reliance on mall management.
The new site offers 9,700 square feet of space and a capacity exceeding 150 seats, marking a transition from a three-year residency in a Mission Valley mall. Trinity Theatre Company signed a five-year lease after reviewing 25 potential locations across San Diego.
The players
Trinity Theatre Company
A performing arts organization that manages youth-cast productions and theater operations in the San Diego region.
The details
To transform the industrial site, the company removed existing drop ceilings to accommodate necessary production infrastructure, including lighting rigs and curtains. The theater features a custom-built stage measuring 8 feet tall, 30 feet wide, and 28 feet deep. This infrastructure allows the company to operate its own technical shop and green room, providing more control than the previous retail-leased unit.
Timeline
July 2026: Trinity Theatre Company received a 60-day notice to vacate its Mission Valley space.
October 16, 2026: The new theater location opens and the production of Dead Man's Cell Phone premieres.
October 25, 2026: The initial production of Dead Man's Cell Phone concludes.
Market Landscape
This move marks a strategic departure from the Mission Valley retail model toward a dedicated industrial-zone footprint. It follows the 2026 forced relocation of the Trinity Theatre Company from Mission Valley, which highlighted the instability of mall-based performing arts leases.
Operators leasing space in retail malls should review notice clauses and consider the risk of short-term displacement during redevelopment. Diversifying site searches to include industrial properties can provide greater long-term control over infrastructure and facility access.
The takeaway
Commercial tenants should treat 60-day vacate notices as a signal to prioritize industrial or purpose-built facilities over retail spaces. Audit your current lease for short-term termination clauses and assess whether current square footage is truly dedicated to your core business operations.
Further reading
Find more updates on business footprint changes in San Diego Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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