About Us
The Classic Theatre is a small non-profit professional theatre in San Antonio, Texas. Our theatre works with The Actor’s Equity Association to offer Special Appearance contracts to AEA members.
Over the past five years, we have significantly increased the representation of women, both on stage and on staff, and we are committed to The Classic’s mission of producing excellent theatre that is relevant, diverse, entertaining & transformative.
We produce five main stage shows a year, as well as our Second Series, a series of smaller productions, partnering with local and national artists.
The Classic Theatre was founded in 2008 by Chris Cheever, Asia Ciaravino, Anthony Ciaravino, Diane Malone, Rick Malone, Terri Peña Ross, and Allan S. Ross, and counts among its credits over 70 Alamo Theatre Arts Council Awards.
Mission:
The Classic Theatre creates excellent theatre that is relevant, diverse, entertaining and transformative.
Vision:
We envision San Antonio as a vibrant city with a rich diversity of arts and culture which connects communities.
Staff
Ruben Jauregui Jr.: Interim Executive Director
210-468-3900 | ruben@classictheatre.org
Ruben is a native Texan, originally from El Paso. Prior to Classic, Ruben worked as the general manager for an environmental consulting firm in Houston, TX. Outside of work, you will find him out on a road trip or on a Netflix binge. Ruben holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from Our Lady of the Lake University.
Mark Stringham: Interim Artistic Director
mark@classictheatre.org
Mark is an associate professor of Theatre Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word. Mark has worked with The Classic Theatre since 2009. He holds an MFA in Acting from the Professional Actors Training Program at Ohio University, and a BA in Theatre Arts from UIW. Prior to his return to San Antonio from New York City, Mark worked with Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Humana Festival of New American Plays, Atlantic Theatre Company, the Public Theatre (NY & SA), collaborative projects with the Royal Shakespeare Company & New Dramatists under the direction of Tarell Alvin McCraney, Cleveland Playhouse, & Monomoy Theatre. ATAC Globe Acting & Directing Awards: Little Shop of Horrors, The Tempest, A Flea in Her Ear, Twelfth Night, Almost, Maine, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, You Can’t Take It With You, Misalliance, & Ironbound.
Kacey Roye: Community Engagement & Programming Associate
kroye@classictheatre.org
Kacey is a Southern California native, performing and teaching for over fourteen years, attending Chapman University’s College of Performing Arts for a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance. After college, she relocated to Portland, OR, where she continued to work as an actor in theatre, TV and film. She has previously worked at The Music Room School of Performing Arts in California as an instructor/choreographer for the Show Biz Kids. At The Magik Theatre, she has served as the Education Programs Manager, and as a company member.
Her most recent San Antonio acting credits include; Antigone (Ismene), Macbeth (Lady Macduff/Witch), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena), A Doll’s House (Nora), Bus Stop (Grace), and The Tempest (Ariel) at The Classic, Grease (Cha-Cha), Crime and Punishment (Sonya), and Venus in Fur (Vanda), at The Public Theatre of San Antonio, Hamlet (Ophelia), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), and Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (June B. Jones) with The Magik Theatre. Some of her favorite credits on the West Coast include; Something in the Air (Holloway), Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal), A Flea in her Ear (Nannette), Cabaret (Helga), Our Country’s Good (Dabby Bryant), Dog Sees God (Sally), and The Shape of Things (Jenny).
Caroline Neelley: Development Associate
caroline@classictheatre.org
Caroline is a Tennessee native who graduated from Trinity University with a major in Theatre and a minor in Arts, Letters, and Enterprise. Caroline came to The Classic as a Trinity University A.L.E. Intern in the Summer of 2018 and joined our staff as a part-time Office Administrator in the Fall of 2018. She was then promoted to full-time Development Associate in Spring 2021. When she’s not at work, Caroline can be found cooking, thrift shopping, or reading.
Florence Bunten: Box Office Manager
210-589-8450 | flo@classictheatre.org
Flo has had a career as a theatre professional, having managed a dinner theatre for the US Army for almost 34 years. After retiring from civil service, she came to work for Classic Theatre in fall of 2010.
She is a board member of Alamo Theatre Arts Council and the Scottish Society of San Antonio. For fun she enjoys singing and playing Celtic music with the band RTFM. “Dinner theatre was fun, but it’s refreshing to work for a theatre that does Shakespeare and other classic shows.”
Contact:
Work With Us:
Applications are now being accepted for the following positions:
- The Classic Theatre Executive & Artistic Director position. CLICK HERE for more info.
We invite you to audition virtually for our 2021-2022 Season 14 General Auditions:
- CLICK HERE to download General Audition Information Sheet, Audition Form, and Audition Taping Instructions & Information Sheet. Please follow all instructions regarding submission instructions
The Classic Theatre is a small professional non-profit theatre in San Antonio that creates excellent theatre that is relevant, diverse, entertaining and transformative. We envision San Antonio as a vibrant city with a rich diversity of arts and culture which connects communities. We were founded in 2008 in order to build a professional theatre that inspires passionate involvement in a shared theatrical experience and to create a source of pride for our community.
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) 3, non-profit corporation
Our Board of Trustees:
- Randy Stier (Chair)
- Alvin Loewenberg (Vice-Chair)
- Christi Eanes (Secretary)
- Nuria Mitchell (Treasurer)
- Deborah Omowale Jarmon
- Stuart Schlossberg
- Kathy Sakai
- Rosa M. Cabezas-Gil
- Michael Trexler
Our Advisory Board:
- Diane Malone
- Rick Malone
- Terri Peña Ross
- Allan S. Ross
- Emily Boehm
- Joe DeMott
Press
Classic Theatre Partners with DreamWeek For Community Conversation, ‘Amplifying Black Female Voices Series’
“The DreamWeek 2021 summit’s theme is “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” In a world of increasingly global connectivity, there is a need for education, learning and revelation of the voices that have (and are) directing our paths to enlightenment, peace and the “beloved community.”
Classic Theatre will host a continuation of their community conversation, Amplifying Black Female Voices Series (Part 4) in partnership with DreamWeek as they discuss the following topic: What are the choices you have had to make as Black women that affect your “Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness?” –Broadway World, 2021
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
“Vociferous songbirds and croaking frogs accompanied productions of Macbeth when the Classic Theater San Antonio performed in the pavilion Oct. 2-11, said Kelly Roush, general and artistic director. The Classic Theatre then moved its famously dark Shakespeare play to the Lone Star Pavilion of the Espee, formerly Sunset Station, with two remaining performances today and tomorrow.” –San Antonio Report, 2020
“Broadway officials announced their shutdown will be extended again until May 30, 2021, on Friday. However, in the Alamo City, the Classic Theatre of San Antonio is one week into their production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” –KSAT 12, 2020
“The highly respected literary critic, Harold Bloom, wrote in his analysis of Shakespeare’s Macbeth that the relationship between Macbeth and his Lady Macbeth is “the best marriage in Shakespeare.” Though that may surprise a lot of theatergoers who seldom think of those two as a loving couple, actor John Stillwaggon who portrays Macbeth in the new Classic Theatre’s production of the play, agrees. He sees Macbeth as an insecure man, who despite being a national hero at the start of the play, does not believe in himself.” – Arts Alive San Antonio, 2020
“John & Carolyn are a theatre power couple here in San Antonio…Starting October 2, they can be seen in Classic Theatre’s production of Macbeth, which will be using very innovative techniques to bring the show to life. Here to tell us all about it is John & Carolyn.” – The Richard Wilmore Show, 2020
“San Antonio’s Classic Theatre will produce an entirely outdoor season with shows at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.” – Paper City, 2020
San Antonio’s Classic Theatre Announces 2020-’21 Season
All five shows in Classic Theatre’s 2020-21 season feature characters at a crossroads.
“The theme is we are the choices we make,” said Kelly Hilliard Roush, the company’s executive and artistic director. “We feel it’s a year where there’s a lot of people who don’t always feel like one voice can be powerful, but the exciting thing about a democratic society is everyone’s voice matters and every choice we make in our lives matters.
Source: Debrah Martin, San Antonio Express News- March 4, 2020
Acting Out: What’s new on San Antonio’s Stages in 2020
San Antonio’s live theatre scene has everything audiences need to start a new year on the right step, from the fresh enthusiasm of fanciful spectacles to the reflective tragedies of history. For theatergoers eager to support local productions, we’ve put together a list of shows to kick off 2020 — either with a laugh or a sigh.
San Antonio’s Classic Theatre Announces 2019-’20 Season
Classic Theatre will offer its patrons a little bit more next season.
The company, which typically has staged four shows per year at its theater at 1924 Fredericksburg Road, is expanding to five shows during the 2019-20 season.
The theme of the company’s 12th season is the ties that bind. The season includes plays exploring a variety of connections.
Source: Debrah Martin, San Antonio Express News- March 4, 2019
Woodlawn Theatre Block has new ownership
The city block that includes the Woodlawn Theatre and the Classic Theatre is off the market. The building was purchased by 1920 Woodlawn Partners, a limited liabilty company formed by Austinite Trevor Titman; his father, Sheridan Titman; and Sherry Wehner.
The owners would like to add a gallery and perhaps a cafe or coffee shop to the mix in hopes of helping to turn the neighborhood into an arts destination. “We want to bring tenants in there that mesh well with the Woodlawn Theater and the Classic,” Trevor Titman said. “Those are cultural anchors for the property and the whole area.”
Source: Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express News- May 15, 2018
Classic Theatre focuses on hope in 11th season line-up
The season’s theme is “things longed for,” (Kelly Roush) said. At the heart of that is hope, a recurring theme in all four shows. “Hope is at the core of joy,” Roush said. Roush also sought plays that had roles for actors of all ages, and made it a point to choose two plays by female playwrights and two by male playwrights. She’s also striking that gender balance in the directors who will be heading each show.
Source: San Antonio Express News- March 6, 2018
Classic Theatre’s executive director expands her role
The company has taken another step in that direction by making Hilliard Roush both executive and artistic director. She took on the additional role in January. The four founders who have remained involved — Malone and her husband, Rick, and Allan S. and Terri Peña Ross — still serve on the advisory board, but the day-to-day responsibilities fall squarely on her shoulders.
“They have laid such a strong groundwork and are still absolutely here to advocate for the company, to participate as artists, but they get to take a break,” Hilliard Roush said.
Source: San Antonio Express News- February 8, 2018
San Antonio’s Essential Theatre Companies & Performing Arts Venues:
Do you like your plays to stick to the dramatic canon? If so, The Classic Theatre of San Antonio’s productions of popular classics and forgotten masterpieces is the space where you can let your theater geek flag fly. Performances typically include a complimentary champagne reception on opening night and a “Community Talk Back” near the end of the run. The company’s ninth season wraps up with productions of Shakespeare’s The Tempest (February 17-March 12) and William Inge’s Bus Stop (May 5-28). 1924 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 589-8450, classictheatre.org.
Source: San Antonio Current – February 22, 2017
Classic Theatre Branches Out with Annex:
The 1,950-square-foot annex isn’t exclusively a storage facility. There’s an office, and a small room beneath the costume loft has been turned into a shop where Rick Clyde, who is technical director for the current season, can build set pieces and other items.
Source: Express News- January 18, 2017
Can San Antonio Finally Join the Big Boys of Theatre?:
“Money will follow mission,” she (Kelly Roush) said. “If we are doing our mission, and it is the time (to transition to Equity) — which we believe it is — then the other things will follow. We feel that we’ve taken a sizable leap this year, so in the next two years … once it starts, there really is the ability for it to explode.”
Source: Express News- December 3, 2016
The Best San Antonio Theatre Productions of 2016:
Source: Express News- December 21, 2016
History
The Classic Theater of San Antonio was founded in 2008 in order to build a professional theatre that inspires passionate involvement in a shared theatrical experience and to create a source of pride for our community.
The Classic Theatre of San Antonio Founders:
- Chris Cheever
- Asia Ciaravino
- Tony Ciaravino
- Diane Malone
- Rick Malone
- Allan S. Ross
- Terri Peña Ross
