This article has been updated.
In a single move, the Classic Theatre San Antonio has found a home, and The Public Theater of San Antonio has righted its ship.
On Wednesday, the Public Theater announced the hiring of J. Robert “Jimmy” Moore as producing artistic director, which mirrors Moore’s current role at the Classic Theatre, a position he has held since 2021.
“I’m very humbled that the stakeholders over at the Public felt that I have what it takes to help to lead that artistic vision,” Moore said.
The two companies will conjoin under Moore’s artistic leadership for the 2023-2024 season, with Public Theater productions onstage in the 350-seat main theater and Classic Theatre productions taking place in the 60-seat Cellar Theater downstairs.
“We’re really looking forward to working together in a collaborative way to produce amazing theater for San Antonio,” said Dawn Cole, Public Theater board chair.
Both companies will retain their independent identities and production schedules while sharing administration and overhead costs.
Alvin Loewenberg, board chair of the Classic Theatre, said amid a difficult funding environment for nonprofit arts groups, “anytime you can join forces and share resources … that’s very positive.”
The Public’s move comes after Executive Artistic Director Claudia de Vasco announced her resignation in April after 20 months on the job to take a fellowship position in Washington, D.C.
De Vasco had been hired after a national search to take over from George Green, the former CEO and artistic director ousted in November 2020 after complaints about his leadership.
Cole said a process toward a new leadership structure is in place, with additional positions to be announced in the coming months.
Moore had led the Classic Theatre through what he described as the “choppy waters” of the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the company to relinquish its former home on Fredericksburg Road and resulted in significant revenue losses and uncertainty for audiences.
Moore saw the limitations as an opportunity for the theater to stretch its limits by performing in nontraditional theater venues including outdoor spaces such as the Espee amphitheater, the La Zona cultural space on West Commerce Street and the San Antonio Botanical Garden.
Landing in the Cellar Theater fulfills a goal Moore set during the 2022-2023 season to find a home for the roving theater.
“The Classic needed a permanent home,” said Loewenberg.
Loewenberg called the move “a very positive thing for both organizations. I think it’s great that two arts communities can come together and work together, I think that makes both of us stronger. … Collaboration is the name of the game these days.”
Moore said he feels prepared to lead the productions of both companies. The Classic Theatre produces “black box” plays appropriate to smaller stages and casts, while the Public Theater focuses on more elaborate musicals such as its upcoming production, Merrily We Roll Along by Stephen Sondheim.
“I’ve always been a musical theater kid at heart,” Moore said of his love for the Public Theater’s focus. His first professional role as a stage actor was at the Public Theater, when he performed in Camelot at age 16, and his mother recently reminded him that his first ever role was in the children’s musical Krazy Kamp at the San Pedro Playhouse, the Public’s current home.
Camelot provides an example to Moore on how to approach his new leadership position.
“It’s [legendary King] Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable, bringing together the very best that he could in order to form a partnership that could do great things,” Moore said.
Moore started July 1 and will lead the production of Merrily We Roll Along, which will be directed by Jenny Lavery and run Aug. 4-27.
