San Antonio's Classic Theatre and Public Theatre Combine, Share Space and Producing Artistic Director Jimmy Moore
UPDATE: Feature by Nicholas Frank for the San Antonio Report, July 6, 2023
Feature in American Theatre magazine, July 16, 2023
See July 17 update, below
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is thrilled to announce its collaboration with The Public Theater of San Antonio, as the two leading professional theatre companies work to bring about a new era of artistic excellence and expanded opportunities for both organizations.
Under this partnership, The Classic will host its 2023–24 Season productions in the Cellar Theater, a 60-seat theater located near downtown in the San Pedro Playhouse, which is also home to and operated by The Public Theater. The move presents an exciting prospect for The Classic to host its upcoming performances in a wonderfully intimate theatre setting designed for live stage productions.
As part of the move, J. Robert “Jimmy” Moore, Producing Artistic Director of The Classic, will also share his decades of experience in musical theatre by taking the additional role of Producing Artistic Director for The Public Theater’s upcoming productions, to be performed in the Playhouse’s larger 350-seat Russell Rogers Theater. With this collaborative model, Moore will continue to serve as Producing Artistic Director at the Classic Theatre of San Antonio.
Moore is a San Antonio native who made his musical theatre debut in a production of Camelot at the San Pedro Playhouse in 2002. He is a member of the LatinX and LGBTQIA+ communities in San Antonio and has developed a reputation as an innovative and passionate leader by diversifying the titles presented since he joined The Classic Theatre as Executive and Artistic Director in December 2021.
The Classic Theatre’s move to the Playhouse also launches a partnership with the two organizations that will allow them to not only share space but resources, creating more opportunities in the San Antonio arts community.
Board members of both organizations say this strategic partnership between The Classic and The Public Theater is a win-win.
“This arrangement presents an excellent opportunity for The Classic to settle into a new home and the resources saved through the partnership will be invested in delivering extraordinary theatrical experiences for the community,” said Alvin Loewenberg, Board Chair of The Classic Theatre. “The shared talents of Jimmy and other dedicated leaders will also ensure strong artistic visions for both organizations, and opportunities for cross promotions and creative joint programming. It is an exciting time for San Antonio’s theater community.”
“We are delighted to not only share space with The Classic Theatre, but also share ideas and our organizations’ joint passion for making San Antonio a place where local theatre is thriving,” said Dawn Cole, Board Chair for The Public Theater. “And we are proud to welcome Jimmy home to The Public Theater, where we know he will bring his passion for sharing works that highlight local talent and celebrate San Antonio’s vibrant and diverse culture.”
The Classic and The Public Theater are united in their commitment to enriching the cultural landscape of the community through exceptional theatrical experiences. This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting chapter, one that promises to elevate both organizations and foster a vibrant theater scene in San Antonio.
UPDATE, July 17, 2023
The Public Theater of San Antonio announces a new leadership model for the 111-year-old organization, the longest-running theatre company in Texas. This new model consists of an executive team of three directors with a President & CEO overseeing the overall direction and vision for the organization.
The Board of Trustees for the theater reorganized the top leadership team to focus on the right priorities for the organization: artistic experience for creatives, the audience experience for patrons, and sound business practices. These leaders from the San Antonio community will come together to create a dynamic team that will lead the historic organization into a strong direction for the future.
Recently announced Producing Artistic Director, J. Robert “Jimmy” Moore will lead the overall artistic vision of the theater. Moore brings to the theater a wide variety of theatrical experience as both an actor and a director. His background includes professional theatrical work at many regional theaters across the U.S., including Oklahoma, Montana, Texas, and New York.
Marketing and sales will remain under the direction of Rick Sanchez as he takes on an expanded role as the Director of Marketing and Audience Experience. Sanchez has a 23-year history with the theater, which ranges from acting, directing, and stage managing. His background in marketing and public relations for theatre includes 5 years at ZACH Theatre in Austin, one of top three professional regional theaters in Texas.
The theater will introduce two new positions with two familiar faces from the theatre community. Christina Casella returns to the theater as its new Managing Director. Casella will lead development efforts for the theater as well as the business and operational structure for the organization. Casella’s background includes an extensive list of developing youth programs, theatre, community outreach, and fundraising for the non-profit sector.
And finally, one of San Antonio's top nonprofit leaders, Asia Ciaravino goes back to her roots and passion for theatre and makes a return to The Public Theater of San Antonio as its new President & CEO. Ciaravino brings over 25 years of experience leading community-driven organizations across the country. From professional theatre work to recent experience in youth education and family support organizations.
Ciaravino adds, “I am honored to have the opportunity to return to my home in the theatre. Looking forward our theater needs to continue focusing on inclusion, communication, transparency, and creating art that tell everyone's stories. The Public Theater has a unique opportunity to build community and create a safe artistic space for all.”
This leadership model marks the beginning of a new and exciting era for the historic San Pedro Playhouse, the home of multiple artistic organizations. The Public Theater of San Antonio looks forward to the future with strategic plans to elevate the organization and foster a culturally-driven space that represents the theatre scene in San Antonio.
About The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is a small nonprofit professional theatre in San Antonio, Texas that is committed to producing excellent theatre that is relevant, diverse, entertaining and transformative. The theatre produces five main stage shows a year, along with a Second Series of smaller productions in partnership with local and national artists. Founded in 2008 by Chris Cheever, Asia Ciaravino, Anthony Ciaravino, Diane Malone, Rick Malone, Terri Peña Ross, and Allan S. Ross; The Classic Theatre has earned more than 70 Alamo Theatre Arts Council (ATAC) Awards and works with The Actor’s Equity Association. www.ClassicTheatre.org.
Connect with The Public Theater of San Antonio
Facebook @ClassicTheatreSA www.facebook.com/ClassicTheatreSA
Instagram @classictheatresa www.instagram.com/classictheatresa
About The Public Theatre of San Antonio
The Public Theater of San Antonio creates dynamic professional theatre and arts programming that unites the diverse communities of San Antonio and enriches the quality of life in our city through transformative storytelling that reflects the human experience. As San Antonio’s regional professional theater, many volunteers and service contractors contribute to the organization’s success. Annually, an average of two hundred professionally paid performers and technicians participate in productions. Nearly 90% of the performers and creative team members are from the local region under new leadership. Established in 1912 as the San Antonio Dramatic Club and incorporated on April 6, 1927, as the San Antonio Little Theatre, it is the longest-running theater in South Texas. The company has had other brands such as The San Pedro Playhouse (1997), and The Playhouse San Antonio (2012). Its most recent brand, The Public Theater of San Antonio, was unveiled on January 7, 2018, in an effort to align the organization’s new professional vision to the needs of the region. For over a century, The Public Theater has evolved to serve its community as a 501c3 non-profit organization. Visit www.thepublicsa.org for more information.
Connect with The Public Theater of San Antonio
Facebook @thepublicsa www.facebook.com/thepublicsa
Instagram @thepublicsa www.instagram.com/thepublicsa
Twitter @thepublicsa www.twitter.com/thepublicsa
Tiktok @thepublicsa www.tiktok.com/@thepublicsa
