The Next Scene: How Bradley Wentzel Is Bringing the Carlsbad Theatre Back to Life
Carlsbad Village is the city’s heartbeat.
When you walk past the Carlsbad Theatre marquee on State Street, there’s a quiet hum of anticipation in the air. The kind that hints something special is about to happen. For nearly a century, the Carlsbad Theatre has been a cornerstone of the Village, a place where stories came alive on screen and the community gathered under one roof. Now, Bradley Wentzel is spearheading the project to bring that magic back to life.
Bradley Wentzel is an actor, photographer, and creative based in Carlsbad.
“My background blends years of storytelling and visual work, all grounded in the arts. I’m also in the process of launching the Carlsbad International Film Festival. Since I wear a few hats, let’s just call me a creative. Outside of that, I’m a husband and dad to two amazing daughters, eight and six, who keep life grounded and fun,” he says.
That mix of creativity and community spirit is exactly what drives Bradley’s vision for the Carlsbad Theatre’s revival. For him, reopening the nearly 100-year-old venue is about more than renovating a building, it’s about reigniting a sense of shared experience. “It’s a way to merge my love for film, performance, and community all in one space,” he says.
“Ultimately, I wanted to create a place where my own creative background could help build a cultural hub for Carlsbad.”
RPG is handling the renovations, refreshing the space while preserving its original charm. The design draws inspiration from mid-century cinema and blends it with modern touches.
The result? A theatre that feels both timeless and ready for its next chapter. “It’s meant to feel like a place you’d want to linger,” Bradley explains. “Where every detail has a bit of story behind it.”
And it’s not just about movies. From live music and comedy nights to community gatherings, the vision is big and deeply local.
“We’re already starting to talk with local shops, restaurants, and artists about partnerships,” Bradley says. “The goal is for everyone to feel connected to the theatre’s success and see it as their own.” The theatre is also set to host the upcoming Carlsbad International Film Festival (launching in 2027, just in time for the theatre’s 100th anniversary).
A look inside the theatre
If there’s one thing that keeps the project moving, it’s the people.
“The support has been incredible,” he adds. “People stop by all the time to share their stories and memories of seeing movies here as kids and the people who have never been inside are especially excited to have this in their town. There’s this excitement in the air, and you can really feel how much it means to everyone that the theater’s coming back.”
So what does he hope people will feel when the lights go down for the first time? “Like they’ve stepped into something familiar but special,” Bradley says. “A place that’s always been part of Carlsbad — just waiting to come alive again.”
The Carlsbad Theatre isn’t just being reopened, it’s being reborn. And when those doors finally open, it won’t just mark a new chapter for the Village, but a renewed celebration of the stories that bring us all together.
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