San Antonio’s population has grown from 935,933 in 1990 to 1,382,951. It’s the seventh largest city in the nation. Why doesn’t theater seem to be fitting into this growth pattern? Seeking answers, I went to visit Asia Ciaravino.

Since being hired in 2012 as the CEO of The Playhouse, an on-again/off-again flagship for San Antonio Theatre since the Little Theatre Movement in the early 20th century, Asia has miraculously rescued her ship from drowning in tsunamis of red ink; has made daring season selections for both stages housed in The Playhouse (the 672-seat Russell Hill Rogers Theater and the 60-seat Cellar Theater); has hired a Team/Staff that is bright, energetic, and tireless; has networked and reached out to help Social Services in the community (RAICES, Haven for Hope); and, she has remodeled the interior of this WPA monument to such an inviting level that audiences now throng to the club-like lobbies an hour before their show times to see musicals in the RHR Theater and edgy, Off-Broadway fare in The Cellar. BTW, attendance has doubled.

Asia, herself a most accomplished actor, is married to a brilliant actor/director/teacher; is an exuberant mother of three young girls; runs five miles daily; hosts the weekly TV show, ARTS on PBS; and, is locally well-known for her forthrightness. So I asked her my question about the future of theater in our city. (The following is a compilation of excerpts pulled from a fascinating hour-long conversation.)

Asia Ciaravino: San Antonio remains, in part, a very traditional city with a great number of artists who dislike change. But education is change and believing we have nothing new to learn about our craft is what prevents growth.

In their defense, artists here can’t make a living in theater. San Antonians accept that. It’s the way it’s always been. This acceptance keeps good things from getting great. It creates an environment of stagnation. The cycle feeds itself. But the tides are rising. And even though much funding from large corporations that used to go to the arts now goes to social services, there are new jobs in the business sector bringing many new people here to live. People from other cities accustomed to quality entertainment. People who understand that they must support their local culture if they want to enjoy it.

San Antonio stands at a pivotal moment of change and redefinition but we’ve got to be willing to make those changes pretty quick. The entire city needs to be a place that professionals want to come live in because the arts and entertainment are great and a huge part of the community. Other cities already have that template in place. And all the San Antonio arts and entertainment people and establishments need to see themselves, no matter which section of the city they are in, as part of the city’s total cultural package. Their publicity and information needs to be put out from some central hub… a media clearing house with no fear of competition but rather with a sense of collaboration.

Sheila Rinear: Asia, you continually make your Playhouse not only ready for the influx of new residents in the city, but you also keep The Playhouse forever inviting to your current Patrons. How do you do it? What motivates you to get up every morning and go do theatre?

Asia Ciaravino: I believe that we can change the world through theatre. Theatre makes us fundamentally better. I see us loosing ‘market share’ everyday as we continuously have to compete with all forms of media. I am driven to keep theatre relevant. I am a staunch believer that artists need to use their talents for good. I know we can do it together. We must continue to feel on a deep level, it is our only chance of survival as humans. Otherwise our souls will die. I can’t live with that.

srinear@dramatistsguild.com