A former Palm Springs City Council member who was instrumental in revitalizing the Plaza Theatre has announced he is stepping down from the nonprofit board that runs the venue.
J.R. Roberts said in a press release he will step down from the Board of Directors of the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation
as well as his position as president, ending a role he has served since the start of efforts to renovate the historic theater."I am humbled by the incredible success of the talented team we assembled to restore and operate this iconic landmark and ensure that it remains a vibrant hub for the arts, education, and culture in our Palm Springs community for years to come,” Roberts said in a statement. “Working on this project with this team is without
a doubt the greatest accomplishment of my professional life."
For years, Roberts has been the public face of the renovation of the Plaza Theatre, after the city turned to him to guide the foundation through the fundraising and legal processes of what ended up being a $34 million venture.
Roberts led the capital campaign to secure millions in donations through fundraising and he helped bring in the multinational developer Oak View Group to operate the theater on a daily basis. He frequently appeared on the news to champion the theatre, saying it would draw in tourists to downtown Palm Springs and aid surrounding businesses.
“A huge part of the Plaza Theatre’s successful fundraising and restoration is because of the unwavering dedication of J.R. Roberts,” Kevin Corcoran, Vice President of the Plaza Theatre Foundation, said in a statement. “When the City acquired the building and determined that it should be restored, they turned to J.R. because of his lifelong passion for historic preservation and his commitment to Palm Springs."
The Plaza Theatre first opened as a movie theater in 1936. It then served as the venue for The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies stage show before closing in 2014.
But city leaders sought to restore the historic venue as an iconic destination in Palm Springs. Fundraising efforts began in 2019, with a substantial part of the construction occurring in 2024. The theater reopened in December 2025, with a sold-out Cynthia Erivo concert.
Since then, it has sold millions in ticket sales and brought in more marquee performers.
The Plaza Theatre Foundation is still working to pay back the city $10 million in construction costs. Roberts will remain on the board until Oct. 14, when it next meets. The board is expected to announce its new executive leadership team at that time.
"As for what comes next for me personally, I haven’t made that decision yet," Roberts said. "What I do know is that I want my next chapter to be every bit as meaningful and impactful as the last."
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: J.R. Roberts to step down from Palm Springs Plaza Theatre Foundation
