‘Kids-N-Co.’ still searching for a new home

The show must go on for Kids-N-Co., a nonprofit theater organization for children and young adults in El Paso.

It has struggled to find a new home after it could no longer afford rent at 1301 Texas Avenue.

In 2014, Kids-N-Co. announced it was in danger of losing the theater because there was not enough funding to pay the $2,200 monthly rental fee.

Since December, Kids-N-Co. has used its small budget for moving expenses and storage costs.

“It’s an enormous responsibility that was put on us, that was costly for us,” said Stella Gutierrez, board president of Kids-N-Co.

She said all the time they took to move cost them fundraising events and proper marketing of their own productions.

The organization’s funding is worrisome.

“It’s not very much and it makes me nervous, so I try not to think about it,” Gutierrez said.

In the meantime, Kids-N-Co. rehearses and performs at Bethel Family Ministries for a smaller fee.

More than a dozen children and young adults filled a conference room Tuesday to warm up for the upcoming production, “Cinderella.”

Christian Diaz has been a member of Kids-N-Co. for about 18 months and said he plans to be a member for the rest of his life.

“I wish I could help pay stuff, but, you know I still can’t do that, but at least I can help them by acting,” Christian said.

Christian wants the community to buy tickets to Kids-N-Co.productions to help fix the financial situation.

“I bet it’s really hard for Ms. Stella (Gutierrez) and all the other directors,” Christian said.

Gutierrez is not giving up hope and isn’t considering doing away with the nonprofit organization.

“I think there will always be a Kids-N-Co. and that’s what I’m striving for because it’s too important of an organization for the kids that want to perform and don’t have any other avenues,” she said.

If you would like to help Kids-N-Co. With a donation, you can send it to: El Paso KIDS-N-CO., P.O. Box 971333, El Paso, TX 79997.