By Chris Murphy
Gabriela Guerrini
Executive Director, The State Theatre
Our family has known Gabriela Guerrini for nearly 25 years. She has been the friendly face of food service, local restaurants, local running clubs, marathons and so much more. Her kids were young when my kids were young and there have been many fun memories. We have both watched our community change in so many ways. A few years ago, she became the manager of the historic State Theatre and we worked on the MAMA Awards and so many different projects. As the State has evolved and grown, the Board of Directors made an excellent choice to appoint Gabi as the Executive Director. This is a wonderful move, putting a person with amazing customer and organizational skills at the helm of one of Modesto’s treasures. With the recently expanded Intermission and the Jewel, the State is serving more of our community. Running a non-profit theatre takes skill, a great attitude, and a “can do” spirit and she is just the person to take this on. Let’s learn more about Gabriela!
ModestoView: What first attracted you to food service and customer service?
Gabrielle Guerrini: I grew up working retail, my mom owned three clothing stores in the Bay Area called “Short Story.” My first jobs were at McDonald’s then Swensen’s Ice Cream Parlor. I’ve always had a heart for service. I love people!
MV: You have been working downtown for many years. How do you feel that it has evolved?
GG: I started in 1999, opening up Dewz Restaurant and haven’t left. In my mind, it has always been the heart of Modesto, but I think we have evolved and worked hard at getting the word out that downtown is a vibrant community for so many things to do. Downtown has so many people and organizations working on making it amazing! It is now more family friendly than ever.
MV: Your skills have helped make many projects like the Peace Officer Memorial Run and the Modesto Marathon successful, how do you think this will help you excel at guiding the State?
GG: Being the director of volunteers for the Peace Officer Memorial Run & Modesto Marathon has given me the skills of leadership, organization, finding community connections to help find volunteers, and an overall sense of how important it is to give where you can. I am here to help make Modesto & the State Theatre the best it can be. With all my experience, it has all cumulated to get me to the position I have now, and I love it so much!
MV: This is a wonderful historic theatre, what inspires you most about this place?
GG: Every morning I wake up so honored to be a part of this historic theatre. What inspires me the most is the history it has and how many lives we have touched over the years. Hearing stories of first dates and seeing the kids’ awe-struck faces when they walk into our theater for the first time are two of my favorites!
MV: How do you think your involvement in Modesto has inspired your children?
GG: They both have a service heart and both were in the restaurant business – with me being a server and their dad owning Fuzio, it was inevitable! My daughter Madeline was super involved in hosting local music shows and loved hanging out downtown! It is her place. My son Matthew is now a police officer in San Jose. He has always had a passion for helping others.
MV: It seems like the State Theatre is on a roll and you have a very supportive Board of Directors; how does that motivate you?
GG: Our board is such an amazing champion for the State. Their commitment to our community gives us the support we need to be the people’s theater! From hosting local filmmaker premieres, our Youth Education Program, Sensory Friendly days, and helping other non-profits host their fundraisers here, they support me 100%. Because of this, I strive to make the State the best it can be with a wide variety of programming and the commitment to support our community.
MV: Is there a certain event in Modesto that has really motivated you?
GG: My first motivating event in Modesto was the Modesto Marathon. Witnessing so many local families come together to walk or run in their hometown is heartwarming and inspiring. Music in the Plaza, Porchfest, First Fridays, and so many more inspire me and how Modesto has such a big sense of community.
MV: Theatres and performing arts spaces were hit hard during COVID. What were some of the ways you found to help make it through?
GG: We hosted drive up popcorn sales every Friday, went after the many grants being given to arthouse theaters by the government, drive-in movies, and even one drive-in concert! The community really went out of their way to help us out with donations during that time as well. We cannot thank the community enough for their support (and our past ED, Kirstie, who donned the popcorn costume, selling bags of popcorn every Friday!).
MV: The arts community is pretty tight, how do you think these groups all get along and what opportunities do you see for collaboration?
GG: Our downtown arts community is tight! I love that. We try different types of collaborations with the other theaters. Some work, some don’t, but we are always willing and open to work together. That is what makes our community so special.
MV: Tell us something that people may not know about you?
GG: I have a Master’s in English and taught ESL at MJC.
MV: How can people help the State Theatre?
GG: The easiest way is to show up to an event or movie! We also have memberships that start at $50, memberships are at the heart of our fundraising.
MV: What are you looking forward to most in the next year?
GG: Expanding our programming, finding more community sponsors for our concerts and events, and opening Intermission and all the events we’ll be hosting there.
MV: Describe your perfect Modesto day. GG: Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market followed by breakfast downtown. Shopping at Mira’s and just running into and chatting with all my people. I love being downtown!
And finally, Beatles or Stones? Both 100%
(Chris’ note, Umm, that’s 200% So that’s still 100% to the Beatles so.. )
Learn more and experience the State with the soon to be opening Intermission and the intimate Jewel, please visit www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org> Contact Gabi at gguerrini@thestate.org<mailto:gguerrini@thestate.org>
See you at the show
