Public Theater Announces ‘Save the Playhouse’ Campaign

The Public Theater of San Antonio announces the launch of Save the Playhouse, a fundraiser with a campaign goal of $500,000 to secure and sustain the organization by the beginning of 2024.

Like other theaters nationwide, The Public Theater has been navigating financial instability since reopening from COVID-19 pandemic closures. This hardship and fundraising shortcomings from the 2022–23 Season have left the theater with a financial void of crucial funding necessary for the theater to succeed. To prevent closure and layoffs, The Public Theater has set several efforts in motion to save the theater. To most theatergoers in San Antonio, the organization is affectionately known as “The Playhouse.”

“This beloved theater organization has endured and survived for over a century in San Antonio, including multiple leadership transitions from the past ten years,” says Director of Marketing and Audience Experience Rick Sanchez.

“The Playhouse has been the home to many artists throughout its legacy. A treasured theater for the San Antonio theater community and beyond. This campaign is an important call to action for the community and San Antonio to show their love and dedication for the theater, to come together and save it for future generations of storytellers and theatergoers.”

In addition to the Save the Playhouse fundraising campaign, new leadership is working on renewing and rebuilding relationships with foundations to lock in large gifts to help secure and sustain the theater’s future. “The Playhouse is a treasure to San Antonio, and the Board has full faith that the new team will cultivate new and past supporters to supply the much-needed funds so we can produce top-class art for all audiences,” says Board Chair Dawn Cole. “The theater has faced an uphill battle in these post-pandemic years. We are doing everything we can to save the theater. We hope the theater’s long history of theater-making will draw on the many generations affected by the organization’s theater magic. Now is the time for all to answer the call to support the theater during this time of need.”

Measures to secure financial stability from this past season have already begun:

• The theater will pause productions until the start of the new year to allow the staff to recover and focus on rebuilding and reorganizing the organization.
• A gala and celebration concert will be held in the fall of 2023 to secure significant funds.
• New pledges to the top donor level, the Ovation Society, have been secured, including a $40,000 gift from Board Members.
• New strategic planning includes developing a business plan and diversifying the revenue streams by launching a new education program for all ages.

“The next few months of this campaign are crucial. We are calling on all supporters, big and small, from the past, present, and future, to dig deep and give as much as they can to the theater and secure its longevity for the future.” says incoming President and CEO Asia Ciaravino.

To give a gift and Save the Playhouse, visit www.thepublicsa.org/savetheplayhouse.