PILLAR: Vibrant
AGENDA DATE: September 23, 2026
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): Citywide
DEPARTMENT: Office of Arts and Culture
PRIORITY: N/A
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize a Resident Company Use Agreement between (1) Cara Mia Theatre Co. (CMTC), as licensee, and the City of Dallas, as licensor; and (2) Teatro Hispano de Dallas (TD), a licensee, and the City of Dallas, as licensor, to enable CMTC and TD, individually and separately but on the same Use Agreement terms, to license the Latino Cultural Center multi-form theater and Oak Farms Dairy Performance hall and associated supporting spaces, at the Latino Cultural center for 12 to 20 weeks each annually, over a five-year term, for the period October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031 (the “Initial Term”), with three five-year renewal options for the period October 1, 2031 through September 30, 2046, to carry out the City’s cultural public purpose in accordance with the Use Agreements - Estimated Annual Revenue: General Fund $36,000.00
Body
BACKGROUND
Opened in 2003, the Latino Cultural Center (LCC) is a multidisciplinary arts center and regional catalyst for the preservation, development and promotion of Latino and Hispanic arts and culture. The LCC was designed by Ricardo and Victor Legorreta and includes the Oak Farms Dairy Performance Hall (a 300-seat theater), a 120-seat multi-form theater, a gallery, sculpture courtyards, a multipurpose room, and a plaza for outdoor events.
This action authorizes resident theater company agreements with two professional theater companies, Cara Mia Theatre Company (CMTC) and Teatro Dallas (TD), which maintain the status as the two largest Dallas theater companies which provide compelling works related to the experiences of Latinx communities aligning with the programmatic emphasis and purpose of the Latino Cultural Center. Each theater company has a long history of creating impactful theater in Dallas regularly activating the LCC with a variety of programming providing access to arts and culture within the State of Texas designated Deep Ellum Cultural District enhancing tourism and visibility to the LCC and cultural district.
The agreements, to be executed individually and separately with each company, are subject, in part, to the following terms and conditions:
Term: The initial term of the agreement is five years for the period October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2031, with three five-year renewal options for the period October 1, 2031 through September 30, 2046.
Rent: Total rent payable to the City by CMTC and TD, individually and separately during the initial City fiscal year shall be $1,500.00 each weekly possession period.
Production Use Agreements: CMTC and TD, individually and separately, shall be subject to the completion and submission of a Resident Company Program Facility Use Agreement as approved to form by the City Attorney for the LCC’s administrative processing of the Cara Mia Theatre Co. and Teatro Dallas right to use and occupy the LCC during their scheduled weeks and to set forth the potential costs and fees payable, if any, to the City by Cara Mia Theatre Co. and Teatro Dallas including but not limited to: security deposits, security services, custodial services, ushers, and staff overtime; and Cultural Services: CMTC and TD will each provide 12 to 20 weeks of cultural services per fiscal year at the Latino Cultural Center in either of the theater spaces
Cancellations: Cancellation fees may apply when either group cancels a reserved week.
Allotment of Dates: CMTC and TD will each have first choice of dates for productions in the LCC multi-form theater and the Oak Farms Dairy Performance Hall. In the event of a conflict, the LCC manager shall work with both parties to reach a resolution, and the LCC manager will have the final decision. Cara Mia Theatre Co. and Teatro Dallas will each have an allotment of at least 12 weeks, but no more than 20 weeks each for a minimum of four productions each per City fiscal year, with at least four weeks each in the LCC multi-form theater and at least four weeks each in the Oak Farms Dairy Performance Hall. Reserving both spaces during the same week by the same party is considered two weeks, one reserved week per space. The remaining allotment of dates, outside of the contractual allotment, will follow the Tier process, as established by the LCC manager, for other, LCC core groups providing LCC mission-driven programming, and groups for general purpose rentals
Provision of Services: CMTC and TD will individually and separately provide 12 to 20 weeks of cultural services per City fiscal year at the LCC in either the LCC multi-form theater space or the Oak Farms Dairy Performance Hall
Free Tickets for Students: will each provide free tickets to students from a variety of Dallas-based schools and/or partnering organizations located within the city of Dallas for three evening performances each City fiscal year, and will brand these performances as “Youth Nights at the Latino Cultural Center,” or similar language subject to approval by the Director of Arts and Culture.
Branding, Recognition, and Signage: The City, with available funds from the capital improvement fund, shall install on the exterior wall of the LCC facing Live Oak and Good Lattimer prominent signage to read: “Home of Cara Mia Theatre and Teatro Dallas” and the City shall install prominent signage, with available funds from the capital improvement fund, in the lobby of the multi-form theater space agreed to by all parties that will display resident company status of Teatro Dallas and Cara Mia Theatre Co.; CMTC and TD will attribute “resident theater company of the City of Dallas Latino Cultural Center” or similar language, subject to approval by the Director of Arts and Culture, on all marketing materials, including but not limited to partnerships outside of the LCC.
Marketing and Promotion: CMTC and TD will promote and market all programs and events at the LCC to the local area and outside of the local area on platforms including but not limited to standard media or advertising, websites, mailing lists, local, regional and national listings in publications, electronic calendars, as well as through the use of social media.
Force Majeure: CMTC and TD will maintain their reserved booking, unless there is a state of emergency that requires the City to operate essential city functions in the Latino Cultural Center.
Reporting: CMTC and TD will comply with monthly and annual reporting consistent with the requirements of the organizational support program as administered through the Office of Arts and Culture and provide the LCC Manager with attendance metrics after the completion of productions or events to include both local and out-of-town attendees to programs hosted at the LCC.
Utilities: City will pay the cost of all utilities.
Assignment and sub-license: CMTC and TD shall not assign the use agreements or sub-license the premises or any part thereof.
Renewals: Renewal options shall be subject to Cara Mia Theatre Co. and Teatro Dallas, individually and separately meeting the terms of their respective Use Agreements, and the approval of City Council.
The City may terminate the contract for cause in case of breach of the Use Agreements.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on September 14, 2026. <https://dallascityhall.com/government/citymanager/Documents/Council%20Materials/QOLAC%20DEADLINK%20Item%20B.pdf>
FISCAL INFORMATION
Estimated Annual Revenue: General Fund $36,000.00