2013-2014 Annual Report Las Casas Foundation is dedicated to the development of the performing arts through education, scholarships and the restoration and preservation of historic theatres.

Founded in 1988, Las Casas is funded through Foundation memberships, the generous support of donors, corporations and grants. It has awarded $485,000 in scholarship funds to deserving students in the field of performing arts since 2009.

2013-2014 Board of Directors

Jocelyn Straus Martha Avant Founding Chairperson Aliza Cantu Bill Crow Frank Z. Ruttenberg Eric Dupre’ Chairman Carmen Goldberg George Hinchey Kevin Parman Steve Johnson President John D. Likovich Charline McCombs Lifetime Friends Linda Guerra Tillery David Nicolson Sunny Blumenthal Vice President Sue Ann Pemberton Clifton J. Bolner Peggy Penshorn Mary Margaret McAllen Jay Higginson Bonnie Reed Pat Wheeler Treasurer Kathy Rhoads Barbara Richmond In Memory Of Valerie Samaníego Finch Michael Schaefer Bob W. Coleman Assistant Treasurer Lisa Swann Elaine Honigblum “Lainie” Kaufman Don Thomas Laura G. Richmond Chris Turner Secretary V.T. “Skip” Wood When Las Casas Foundation was founded in 1988, none of us envisioned where we would be today. This year marked a number of milestones for Las Casas. We celebrated the 100th year anniversary of the elegant Charline McCombs Empire Theatre fêting its namesake in a star-studded evening; we honored the hard work and commitment of our founding chairperson, Jocelyn L. “Joci” Straus, as we dedicated our beautiful theater complex “the Joci Straus Performing Arts Center;” and applauded the amazing talent of our San Antonio youth through the Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition, awarding over $100,000 in scholarship funds to deserving high school students, bringing the total amount of scholarships awarded since the program began to nearly $500,000.

As we look back to where we started and how far we’ve come, it is a fantastic reason to pause and be grateful for the opportunity we have to continue to impact the San Antonio performing arts community.

On behalf of Las Casas, thank you for your generous contributions and your support as we continue our mission.

This year also marks the opening of the new Tobin Center. We at Las Casas look with great pride at the ever-expanding landscape for cultural arts in our city, which was envi- sioned by Las Casas over a quarter century ago. As many of you have heard me state before, great cities are not remembered by their industry or commerce, or the wealth of their community, but rather by their contribution to the arts. Through your commitment and support of Las Casas, each of you has helped to enrich our city and elevate our community to one of the greatest in our country.

We pause for just a moment to reflect and enjoy the memories of our accomplishments that could only be achieved with your great generosity and knowing that with your continued support, we will reach even greater achievements in the future.

Frank Z. Ruttenberg Chairman of the Board, Las Casas Foundation 2013 GALA HONORING JOCI STRAUS

Jocelyn L. “Joci” Straus, Founding Chairperson of Las Casas Foundation, was recognized at the 2013 Gala, which also featured the multinational operatic pop vocal group, IL DIVO. The evening honored her lifetime achievements, vision and leadership in making the Majestic Theatre and the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre the treasures they are today. During the gala program, it was announced that the downtown San Antonio Performing Arts Center, as the two theatres were collectively known, would be renamed the Joci Straus Performing Arts Center. Proceeds from the evening, a total of more than $425,200 directly benefited the Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition. 2014 EMPIRE THEATRE’S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION HONORING CHARLINE MCCOMBS

The Empire Theatre turned 100 in 2014 and Las Casas Foundation celebrated the theatre by honoring its namesake, Charline McCombs, during a star-studded gala that spanned both the Majestic and Empire stages. The night began with cocktails in the rotunda and dinner on stage of the Majestic Theatre, and wrapped up with an original production, “Opening Night,” created for occasion and emceed by six-time Emmy® winner, Bruce Vilanch, at the Empire Theatre. All proceeds from the evening, a total of more than $424,000, directly benefited the Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition.

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS 2013 SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

2013 marked the fifth annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition, where 24 students vied for $85,500 in scholarship funds. David Bologna of Austin, who placed first in the Dance category, was named the overall winner, and was awarded a total of $15,000 in scholarship funds to assist with his performing arts education.

Overall Winner Vocal $5,000 – Ashton Cleer David Bologna, $4,000 – Jordan Hogan $15,000 total winnings $3,000 – Daniel Loftus $2,000 – Matthew Hernandez Monologue $1,500 – Allison Gillespie $5,000 – Joseph Monsour $1,000 – Amanda Price $4,000 – Zack Walker $3,000 – Emilia Baker Dance $2,000 – Asel Swango $5,000 – David Bologna $1,500 – Kelsi Morse $4,000 – Christina Poenisch $1,000 – Katherine Tompkins $3,000 – Destiny Nedrick $2,000 – Rachel Nine Duet Acting $1,500 – Brooke Griffin 5,000 each – Alfred Gomez $1,000 – Amber Ludwig and Emily Kendric $4,000 each – Kathleen Kinlin Linda Guerra Tillery/AT&T and Zoe Windham Essay Award Winners $3,000 each – Rebecca $1,000 – Franchesca Brieg O’Connor and James Ybarra $1,000 – John Davis 2014 SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION During the sixth annual Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition, 25 talented high school seniors battled it out for $100,000 in honor of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre’s 100th Birthday. In the end, Joshua Riding of San Antonio took the top prize of $15,000 after shining bright in the Monologue category. The remaining talented performers claimed $85,000 in scholarship money as well as two trips to the prestigious National High School Musical Theater Awards (the “Jimmy’s”). Thanks to our donors, this year’s $100,000 was the largest sum of scholarship money to be awarded to college-bound high school seniors since the program began in 2009. For the first time ever, KLRN filmed the competition, producing a show about the competition that was broadcast twice on KLRN and is now available to view online at www.klrn.org.

Overall Winner Vocal $5,000 – Madeline Chancey Joshua Riding, $15,000 $4,000 – Michele Yamin total winnings $3,000 – Aaron Taylor $2,000 – Konnor Callender Monologue $1,500 – Cameron Kauffman $5,000 – Joshua Riding $4,000 – Renelle Wilson Dance $3,000 – Daniel Quintero $5,000 – Ashley Olson $2,000 – Anna Connelly $4,000 – Ashton Schifani $1,500 – Sydney Watt $3,000 – Madelene Hall $2,000 – Andrea Lopez Duet Acting $1,500 – Kaitlen Jung $5,000 each – Hailey Medrano and Jonathon Stone Linda Guerra Tillery/AT&T Essay $4,000 each – Christian Parrish and Award Winners Samuel Wittlinger $1,500 – Chloee Abigail Leos $3,000 each – Jorge Espinoza and $1,500 – Corbyn Sprayberry Marlowe Romero

“Jimmy’s” $3,000 & trip to NY – Aria Braswell $3,000 & trip to NY – Aaron Taylor $1,500 – Christopher Heron $1,500 – Michele Yamin BEHIND THE SCENES

“Behind the Scenes,” Las Casas Foundation’s latest educational effort, provides students unique experiences, paired with a performing arts curriculum, to encourage their interest in the performing arts. Partnering with ACE Theatrical Group, Las Casas Foundation organized and sponsored the program for the 2013-2014 school year. Thirty students from the theater arts programs at SAY Sí and The Playhouse San Antonio participated in the inaugural year of the program, which included educational program- ming on two Broadway shows in San Antonio at the Majestic Theatre shows, Peter and the Starcatcher and Wicked, as well as other activities to ignite a life-long love of the performing arts.

The program is designed to give the students a full range of theater experiences, from enjoying live shows and meeting members of the cast and crew, to seeing what it takes behind the curtain to bring a production to life. The idea is to spark a love of theater and engage the students so that they embrace the performing arts and become active members of the performing arts community, whether on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience. IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT National High School Musical Theater Awards/The Jimmy Awards The Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition is now a RAP (Regional Award Program) for the National High School Musical Theater Awards. After proving their talents through their performances during the 2014 Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition, Aria Braswell and Aaron Taylor of San Antonio were awarded the opportunity to participate in the National High School Musical Theater Awards, fondly called the Jimmy Awards, in New York City. While in the Big Apple, Aria and Aaron experienced private coaching with the industry’s top professionals and were treated to a talkback with Tony-award winning lyricist and composer Stephen Schwartz, tickets to Kinky Boots (2013 winner of Best Musical at the Tony Awards), a talkback with the cast after the show, a special dinner at Sardi’s and much more. Both Aria and Aaron received great crowd responses at the finale event at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City.

National Arts Star Award In November 2013, the American Foundation For Arts Education honored Las Casas Foundation with the National Arts Star Award for our positive impact on arts education. Presented annually to individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on arts education on a national or regional level, the National Arts Star Awards raise awareness of the need for an arts education in America’s public schools, celebrate the contributions of advocates and supporters of the arts in America’s public schools, and the creative and academic achievements of schools, school districts, teachers and students in the nation’s public school arts programs. Kathy Rhoads and Kevin Parman accepted the award on the Foundation’s behalf. CAMP BROADWAY

Camp Broadway, Broadway’s Original Summer Camp, a week-long program that immersed more than 60 campers in an authentic Broadway rehearsal process on the stage of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, was held in San Antonio for the first time in summer 2014. Inspired by Broadway’s cherished works and steeped in its grand traditions, Camp Broadway is designed to build confidence, inspire creative expression and instill well-being in both aspiring artists and future audiences.

By utilizing the expertise and experience of genuine Broadway artists, this innovative summer camp allows campers a behind the scenes experience as to what it’s like to be on the stages in New York City.

CAMP BROADWAY WILL RETURN TO SAN ANTONIO NEXT YEAR!

TO PRE-REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFO, VISIT LASCASASFOUNDATION.ORG MEMBERSHIP Kristin Chenoweth Kristin Chenoweth took over the stage of the Majestic Theatre in 2014 and Las Casas Foundation was there to enjoy the show. The Emmy and Tony award-winning star of film, television and stage performed an array of her most memorable songs and Broadway show tunes, including music from Wicked, Promises Promises, Glee, and songs from her album, Some Lessons Learned. After her performance, Chenoweth greeted Las Casas members and guests at a special dessert reception held in the Starlight Suite Lounge. Cast Parties This past season, Las Casas Foundation and Arts Center Enterprises began sponsoring cast parties for each touring Broadway in San Antonio at the Majestic Theatre show following each opening night production. Members of Las Casas are invited for cocktails and snacks, and to mix and mingle with the cast and crew. Please join us to welcome these talented individuals to San Antonio! Wicked Load-In Lunch Las Casas members, friends and partners were treated to a behind the scenes look at what takes Wicked from truck to stage. Guests had the opportunity to chat with the show’s company manager, Ryan Lympus, about what it takes to bring Broadway’s most ‘popular’ musical to life on stage here in San Antonio. Las Casas looks for opportunities to enrich theatre experiences for our members. Stay tuned for upcoming events! BENEFITS Las Casas Foundation members enjoy exclusive ticket services for events at the Majestic Theatre and Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, including early notice of coming shows, advanced ticket purchasing and access to a block of prime seats saved for members — beneficial for shows that sell out quickly. When members buy their tickets through Las Casas, it’s simply an email or call to the Las Casas office and Las Casas handles the rest, doing all of the work to get members the best seats possible, then delivering the tickets straight to the member, making getting tickets a breeze. And rather than pay ticketing fees, members make a tax-deductible donation to Las Casas for every ticket purchased. Also, members have first-come, first-served access to purchase the Las Casas Starlight Suite seats, including complimentary valet parking, access to the Starlight Suite Lounge, comfortable and roomy seats with bar service delivered straight to your seat, and an awesome view of the stage and theater for every show at the Majestic. Planned Giving The Las Casas Foundation Planned Giving Program is designed to allow those who want to support the long-term financial strength of Las Casas Foundation’s scholarship and educational efforts through planned estate gifts, establishing a formal program to accept estate gifts for the Foundation. Founding Chair Joci Straus announced a $100,000 planned gift as the first desig- nated gift for the program during the 2014 Las Casas Foundation Gala. If you are interested in supporting the planned giving program, contact Las Casas to learn more. LAS CASAS IN THE COMMUNITY Ragtime When flood damage from heavy rains in May 2013 left The Playhouse’s performance space unusable for Ragtime, financial sponsorships from Las Casas Foundation, Arts Center Enterprises and the City of San Antonio allowed the production to take place in the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre. The production went on to garner rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.

McNay Art Museum In May 2014, members of Las Casas Foundation’s Behind the Scenes program attended a lecture at the McNay Art Museum featuring Fiddler on the Roof set designers, Sam and Steve Gilliam. After the pair talked about their adventures in set design, Behind the Scenes students led attendees in a sing-along featuring Fiddler on the Roof favorites.

San Antonio Book Festival Las Casas and San Antonio Public Library Foundation joined forces to make the second annual San Antonio Book Festival a roaring success. A number of events were held at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, including a talkback with TV icon Jane Pauley and Literary Death Match. The Literary Death Match featured a mix of four acclaimed and emerging writers who performed their most electric work before an audience, and a panel of three judges who took turns spouting affectionate, off-the-wall commentary about each story. Finalists included: Owen Egerton, screenwriter, performer and author of How Best to Avoid Dying; Roxana Robinson, award-nominated author of Sparta and four New York Times Notable Books; Antonio Sacre, performer and author of My Name is Cool: Stories from a Cuban-Irish-American Storyteller and Malín Alegría, author of Border Town #4: No Second Chances. In the end, Antonio Sacre edged out his compe- tition to secure the win.

Community Advisory Group Las Casas established its Community Advisory Group in 2014 to receive feedback from educators representing a number of school districts and theatres across our community regarding our Performing Arts Scholarship Competition and other educational efforts. We would like to thank Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood for sponsoring our bi-annual Community Advisory Board luncheons. IN-KIND SPONSORS LAS CASAS FOUNDATION APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT OF OUR 2013 AND 2014 DONORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS GIFTS GIFTS OVER $20,000

ACE Theatrical Group, LLC The Brown Foundation Charles C. Butt H-E-B Charline and Red McCombs McCombs Foundation John and Florence Newman Foundation Laura and Jack Richmond Joci and Joe Straus Valero

GIFTS OF $5,000 to $20,000

Malu and Carlos Alvarez Linda and Steve LaMantia Kathey and Robert Anderson Kim Lewis Estela Avery Mays Family Foundation Barbara and Cal Banker McCombs Automotive Ramona and Lee Bass Dan Parman The Edouard Foundation Frank Ruttenberg Jimmie Ruth and Dick Evans Shiner Beers The Greehey Family Foundation South Texas Money Management Howard and Betty Halff Fund Texas Capital Bank Christine and Joe Haynes Linda Guerra Tillery and Jim Tillery Haynes and Boone, LLP Winstead, PC Karen and Tim Hixon Gary Woods IBC Bank Mollie and Bartell Zachry GIFTS OF $1,000 Bonnie Korbell Susan Biegler Sally Halff Bonnie and William Osburn TO $4,999 Mirella and Peter Margolis Cliff Bolner H.B. Hause Anne Ownby Suzanne and Gilbert Mathews Diane Broce Meta and Boo Hausser Julie and George Parker Logan and Gene Ames Edith McAllister William Brown Roxie and Jim Hayne Loretta and James Patterson Margaret Anderson and Bill Crow Sandra and Arthur Medina Ollie Bryant Jane Hegeler Mary Virginia Pittman-Waller Ann Griffith Ash Myfe Moore Ron Caalgard George Hinchey Jane Cheever and Tom Powell AT&T Foundation Ann and Chico Newman James Calvert Daphna Holzman James M. Raines Cathy and Geary Atherton David Nicolson Margaret and Richard Calvert Patricia and Reagan Houston Cheree Rey Martha Avant Dolores and Andew Novak Rebecca Canary and Ken Fine Bebe Inkley Ann Rice Richard Azar Barbie and Toby O’Connor Aliza and Willie Cantu Jefferson Bank Barbara and Lew Richmond Steve Bankler Heather and Gary Parkhurst Paul Carter Joe Kaplan Dawn and Travis Robinette Sugar Barnes Sue Ann Pemberton Monica and Sunny Cavazos Thomas Kaufman Layne and Mark Roetzel Sunny Blumenthal Peggy and Harvey Penshorn Albert Cirilo Margie Kilpatrick Jerry Rosen Michele Bond Mary Carrington Philip Steve Cook Marion Y. Kimbro Sandra and Stanley Rosenberg Ruth McLean Bowers Dana and William Powell Taliaferro Cooper Pamela Kittrell Sherril and Joseph Rubin Lois Bready and Joseph Hulahan Janette Reamer Flora C. Atherton Crichton Heather and Judd Kraft Robin and Tom Russell Phyllis Browning Bonnie Reed and Stuart Schlossberg Jo Ann Crow Barbara Kressin San Antonio Conservation Society Ernesto Calvo Kathy Rhoads Bryan Dempsey Laurence Kurth Debbie and Michael Schaefer Nancy and Charlie Cheever Bradley Rollins Holly Denton Carolyn and Joseph Labatt Rollette Schreckenghost Elliott Cohen Iris Rubin Frances and Blackstone Dilworth, Jr. Laura and Weir Labatt Linda Seeligson Bob Coleman Becky and Stephen Schmitt Perry Donop, III Jean Lee Mary Marshall Sidorsky Don Strange of Texas, Inc. Daniel Scroggins Perry Donop, Jr. Pat Legan J. Marrin Smith Susan and Jeff Edwards Patricia Steves Downtown Alliance Lillian Ann Lehr Doris Spector Kris and Jim Ellis Philip W. Stewart Eddie Duchin Kaye Lenox Carol and Michael Stehling Kitty Nelson Ferguson Joe R. Straus, Sr. & Emilie F. Straus- Daniel Dupre’ Nancy and Michael Levine Elizabeth and Scott Stephens Valerie and Ron Finch Charitable Trust Eric Dupre’ Veronika Liskova Linda and Craig Stoltz Cina Forgason Kathy and Mac Stringfellow Marilyn Eades John Locke, Jr. Laura Stout Pat and Kelly Frost Lisa Swann Eric Efron Cheri and Richard Longoria Ruth Eileen Sullivan Frost Bank RC Thor Mildred Ehrenberg Barbara Lozano Patrick Swearingen, Jr. Caroline Funari Carolyn and Bill Thornton Rose and Frank Elston Alice Lynch Charlie Thomas Gloria Galt Margo and Kenneth Train Beth Erwin Philip Manfredi Carole and Greg Thompson Diane Gates Christine Turner Annie Mae and R.E. Fawcett, Jr. Philip Manna Marilyn and Max Edward Tonkon Carmen and Steven Goldberg USAA Foundation Debbie and Marshall Fein Lynda Marlowe John Toomey Madelyn Goldfein Julie and Randy Vrana Mary Jo Fernandez Janey Marmion Sandra Trevino Helen Groves Gobie Walsdorf, Jr. Patricia and Joe Flores John McBee Judy and Lorence Trick Valerie and Jack Guenther Wendy and Thomas Wirth Bette Foster Nickey McCasland Bette Vexler Kathleen and Curtis Gunn Mertie and Dale Wood Jerry Fulenwider Greta and Sean McFurling Johnye M. Voiles Margaret and Sean Gunn Sandy and Skip Wood Jennifer Furgerson Barbara and Elkin McGaughy Bob Watson Emory Hamilton Nancy and John Gillard Beth and Jim Meyer Tina and Brian Weiner Rose Marie and John Hendry III Linda Alderman Gintel Lana and Barry Middleman Elizabeth and Graham Weston Leah and Jay Higginson GIFTS UP TO $999 Andrea Giuffrida Sarah and Joseph Miller Christen and George Wommack Liecie and Nick Hollis ACE Mart Ruth E. Gold Roberta Molderhouer Tom Wright IPAC Sharon Aguillen Trini and Joseph Goldzieher Eric Morse Lori and Mark Wright Julian Gold Robert Albright Jorge H. Gonzalez Jean Marie and William Mueller Carl E. Wulfe Joan and Herb Kelleher Jean Alexander James W. Gorman Carol Muir Kathleen Wyble Betty and Bob Kelso Chrissy Anthony Lorraine and Richard Griffin Shari Nedler Chica and John Younger Susan and John Kerr Marco Barros Gail and Robert Gurwitz Harriet and Sam Neuman Marion Zoch George T. Kimbell Ann and Sam Barshop Norman Gustafson Eleanor and Keith O’Gorman Olive Ann and Tres Kleberg Nelwyn Belt Charlton Hagelstein Dorothea Oppenheimer Dore and Bart Koontz Lainey Berkus COMMUNITY PARTNERS Children’s Fine Arts Series The Magik Theatre The Playhouse San Antonio Book Festival Woodlawn Theatre KLRN Public Television McNay Art Museum San Antonio Public Library Foundation SAY Sí WOAI News 4 San Antonio and Randy Beamer BY THE NUMBERS 3 YEAR COMPARISON FOR BROADWAY

14-15 14-15

13-14 13-14 Season Season 12-13 12-13

6 shows 6 shows 6 shows 1 special 1 special 4 specials

7,400 8,500 9,300 50 82 96 Subscribers Performances

DONOR DOLLARS AT WORK

Scholarships 43% $185,000 $28,300 Community Grants 6% $50,000 Youth Program 12%

Theater Stewardship 39% $160,000

STAFF

KAYE LENOX DOREN FEIN ANA FLORES Chief Executive Officer Programs and Development Operations and Communications There has always been a direct tie between the growth and success of the cultural arts and the economic development of a community. More than any other investment a community can make, the arts inspire, and can transform neighborhoods, communities, minds, hearts and lives. Las Casas Foundation believes that by continuing to nurture and support the performing arts in San Antonio, we are building a better future for the city as a whole and we invite you to be a part of our journey.

Through our many programs and partnerships, Las Casas Foundation has turned the stage into a classroom, using the Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire Theatres to spark an interest in performing arts. Our educational efforts continue to grow, as does our role in ensuring that local talent is recognized. As a Regional Award Program for the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Las Casas Performing Arts Scholarship Competition now offers talented, aspiring students another opportunity to shine — and gain additional funds for their continued education.

We’re also growing Behind the Scenes, our program designed to spark a love of performing arts among at-risk youth. Students from both Woodlawn and Magik Theater are joining our effort and we’ll host 40 students in this year’s program. We’re also extending our relationship with Camp Broadway. After an amazingly successful inaugural run in San Antonio, Camp Broadway will return next summer, providing children and teens from around the area the opportunity to train with and learn from Broadway professionals.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, we awarded $100,000 in scholarships in 2014. We plan to achieve that number every year — and would love to increase the number of scholarships available through the Performing Arts Scholarship Competition even further so we can help more deserving students. We have a phenomenal base of talent in San Antonio. By providing scholarship funding, we help that talent shine even brighter.

The promotion of arts through education promotes a bright future for our city by ensuring San Antonio’s youth grow up to be both well-educated and have an appreciation for the arts. Igniting the love of arts within a child can inspire them to do great things in the future and Las Casas Foundation is proud to help them dream. I hope you’ll join us as we help them climb the ladder of success.

Kevin Parman President, Las Casas Foundation

LasCasasFoundation.org • 222 E. Houston St., Suite 640 • San Antonio, TX 78205 • (210) 223-4343