(*) Another Two Theatre Companies Evicted from Blue Star Arts Complex, report by Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, April 17

Jump-Start getting the Blue Star boot

By Deborah Martin, Staff Writer

Updated 6:14 pm, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Jump-Start Performance Co., which has been based at the Blue Star Arts Complex for nearly 20 years, is losing its lease there.

The group will be moving in January, said Producing Director Lisa Suarez. Jump-Start's lease ends in September, but company members were able to negotiate a four-month extension.

Jump-Start is the latest arts group to leave the complex as owner James Lifshutz carries out renovations to add more retail.

Lifshutz did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday afternoon.

The news that Jump-Start will have to move came as a surprise, said Dino Foxx, the theater's public relations director. The company had met with Lifshutz last year as renovations moved forward, Foxx said, and had been told they could rest easy.

“At that time, they assured us that we were definitely a tenant they wanted to keep,” Foxx said.

They received a phone call April 10 informing them otherwise.

The move also will leave Classic Theatre, which shares Jump-Start's space, homeless.

Classic is slated to open the farce “Scapin” May 10. That show's run will take place as planned.

Both companies are determining how to move forward.

“Many options are being brought to the table,” Suarez said. “I was continuing to remind everyone, we are not about this facility necessarily. We are about the creativeness that comes from the company.”

The possibility of the two theater troupes finding a new space together has been floated, Foxx said, but it's too early to say how likely that is to happen.

“There are so many question marks,” said Renee Garvens, who handles publicity and oversees the education program for Classic. “At this point, we want to make sure that we contact all of our big donors and let them know we're full steam ahead.”

The Overtime Theater left Blue Star last year, also as a result of the renovation. The company found a new home near the Pearl Brewery.

Leaving Blue Star turned out well for them, said Artistic Director Kyle Gillette.

“The Pearl is the area right now that is promoting exciting new work and where things are happening,” he said. “And Blue Star, unfortunately, has decided to shun its artists. It's a real shame what they're doing.”

Click to go to on-line article

Arts Reporting: Paramount Theatre Selected for $25,000 grant by National Trust for Historic Preservation

Published at Preservation Nation, the blog of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, September 20:

The votes have been counted in the ‘This Place Matters’ Community Challenge and we’re pleased to announce that the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas has won the popular vote – and $25,000. Runners up in the month-long online competition were the Tinker Cottage Museum in Illinois; the Pemberville Opera House in Ohio; the Ohio Theatre in Madison, IN; and the Mead Building in Yankton, SD.

While only the Paramount Theater won a cash award, many participating organizations reported that the very process of participating in the Challenge elevated community awareness for their historic projects and even uncovered new volunteers and supporters.

After September 21, voters will be encouraged to return to the This Place Matters website to ‘vote with their pocketbooks’ by making donations to their favorite project. 100% of funds collected on the This Place Matters site will be passed to the individual organizations.

(Click for background and for September 20 response from the theaters' management, September 20)

The announcement came shortly after the following e-mailed appeal on September 7 from Ken Stein,Executive Director for the Paramount and State Theatres:

I need your help while we keep the Paramount open during some significant plumping repairs occurring at the Theatre. If you have already made a donation in support of this project, I can’t thank you enough - but, read on for an update on how we are using your contribution.

The plumbing project I wrote you about a couple weeks ago has grown in scale and, therefore, more than doubled in cost.

Make a donation to ensure that the Paramount Theatre remains open while significant repairs are being completed.

To access pipes that are nearly 100 years old, a tunnel is being dug about 5 ½ feet under the Paramount’s lobby. It will extend the entire length from the north ground floor men’s lounge to the alley. The tunnel is being dug deep to ensure that the integrity of the historic interior remains undisturbed.

The expanded scope of the project is estimated to now cost the Paramount between $40,000 and $50,000. Your donation will go directly toward covering the cost of these much needed and immediate repairs.

Just like an old house, the Paramount Theatre requires a little extra TLC. Unforeseen repairs such as these occur in a 1915 building and that is why I need your help.

During this time, all of our regular programming is going on as scheduled. I’ll make sure to continue to keep you updated with photos and information on this important project.

Make a donation at this critical time and keep the Paramount Theatre in tip-top shape for the community for generations to come.

With sincere appreciation,

Ken A. Stein, Executive Director
The Paramount & State Theatres

PS. In honor of our Summer Classic Film Series, make a donation of $250 or more and receive your choice of DVD - Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948) or The Money Pit (1986).

Arts Reporting: KUT's Julie Moody Interview Ken Stein on Status of State Theatre

Found on-line from KUT-FM: Julie Moody interviews Ken Stein about status of renovation of the 325-seat State Theatre on South Congress Avenue. Click to view a slideshow and hear the interview (1 min., 25 sec.).

Renovations continue at Texas State Theatre from KUT News on Vimeo.

Arts Reporting: Renovation of Seguin's Texas Theatre, San Antonio Express-News, May 25

Found on-line:

Renovation progresses at Seguin's Texas Theatre

By Vincent T. Davis - San Antonio Express-News
Web Posted: 05/25/2010

The main sounds stirring these days in Seguin's Texas Theatre are saws buzzing, hammers banging and drills drilling.

Light fixtures that once burned an amber glow are coated with a thick film of construction dust that has been accumulating since October 2009. That's when work began on a $2.5 million renovation project — dubbed “A Star Is Reborn” — at the historic downtown structure that opened in 1931.

Architect Milton Babbitt, who restored the Majestic and Empire theaters in San Antonio, developed the expansion plans carried out by the Koehler Co.

The theater is scheduled to reopen in March on its 80th anniversary as the Stephen and Mary Birch Texas Theatre, in honor of the foundation that made the largest donation, $1 million, during a decadelong fund-raising drive.

The Seguin Conservation Society bought the Spanish Colonial-style theater at 425 N. Austin St. in 1996. It also bought the adjoining building in 2007, to add a concession lobby, dressing rooms and restrooms that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Once the expansion is completed, the society estimates an annual audience of 24,600 people for symphonies, community plays, recitals, films and concerts. The site also will be a venue for Teatro de Arts de Juan Seguin, Troupe Texas, Mid-Texas Symphony, Seguin Performing Arts Company, Seguin Independent School District, Texas Lutheran University, Cinema for All and other local arts groups.

Read more at www.mysanantonio.com . . . .