Boerne Community Theatre

MISSION STATEMENT: Boerne Community Theatre produces quality, live theatre that entertains, educates and enriches the community.

History:

In 1991 Boerne resident Deloris Littlejohn took steps to charter a nonprofit community theatre under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Littlejohn consulted with Enid Holm of Texas Nonprofit Theatres; Zada Janzen, founder of S.T.A.G.E. Theatre in Bulverde; and Steven Stoli, owner of a theatre in San Antonio. Littlejohn, Jack Simmons, Mike Arthur, Marsha Slocomb, Ed Martin, John Ebner and Andy Hix made up the theatre's first board of directors. Hix, an attorney, drew up the papers for incorporation as BACC-Door Theatre and for the organization's nonprofit status. The board also developed bylaws and a mission statement.

The new theatre's name recognized the Boerne Area Community Center, which was its first playhouse. The primary purposes of the organization were to provide a vehicle for the education, production and development of performing arts, including dramatic, musical and related cultural productions, and to encourage community participation in all aspects of its activities. BACC-Door Theatre's first production was The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, directed by Roy Stewart and choreographed by Le Jones. From 1991 to 1997 the BACC-Door Theatre produced at least one show a year. In addition to fulfilling its chartered purpose, the theatre promoted activity in the community center and supported the center through fees paid for its use.

With a growing list of regular patrons from San Antonio, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, Bandera, Ingram and New Braunfels, the theatre's board of directors in the spring of 1997 sought a new location that would be available exclusively for the theatre's use. That dream was realized when Jerry and Shirley Rittimann made part of the building at 809 North Main Street an option. Volunteers converted a dress shop into a performance space with seating for 50 people. The Board of Directors changed the organization's name to Back Door Theatre and planned a five-show season for September 1997-August 1998, with season ticket sales. Each show had eight performances over three weekends. Response to promotion and increased attendance at performances gave the group the incentive to continue. By the spring of 1998 many performances were selling out. That summer the theatre had its first children's summer camp under the direction of Betty Steubing, a local theatre teacher. It received a computer from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation.

In May 1999 the Board of Directors decided to reorganize to promote further growth and community outreach. It rewrote the bylaws, reestablished itself as a Board of Governors with specific duties for each board member and instituted a membership program. Theatre members receive benefits in addition to season tickets: a newsletter, recognition for donor-level members and invitations to special events. Giving levels include regular and donor-level members. Donors give at least $125 and receive recognition in performance programs. The top level of membership, $1,000, was Co-producer. Co-producers receive a special performance and recognition in all publicity for their show. Since September 1999 every regular production has had a co-producer. Membership grew from 35 to 95 for the 1999-2000 season. In February 2003 the theatre had 183 members, 37 of them donor-level. Membership renewals exceed 60 percent.

The theatre was growing in its Main Street location, but it didn't always remain within those walls. It took a number of performances to other locations. In early 1998 the cast and crew of I Take This Man did a weekend of shows at the Fair Oaks Country Club. In 1999 and 2000 Jack Simmons and Susan Howard, an actress well known for her roles on TV's "Dallas" and "Petrocelli," performed Love Letters at Fair Oaks and the Guadalupe Valley River Ranch.

In 1999 Back Door Theatre received a $10,000 grant from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation to develop a strategic plan. Key elements of that plan were to increase outreach to the community and to purchase or build a larger playhouse to meet the resulting audience growth.General audience numbers increased significantly in the 1999-2000 season. The December production, A Christmas Carol, was sold out by opening night. For the 2000-2001 season, the board voted to extend each show's run to 11 performances over four weekends to meet audience demands.

In 2000 and 2001 the theatre had New Year's Eve dances as fundraisers at the Boerne Community Center. Although the events were popular with those who attended, the theatre did not turn a profit. The theatre continues its tradition of support to the Boerne community. In 2000 the Governing Board established a scholarship program, giving a $500 grant to a college-bound senior. In 2002 the board voted to offer two $500 grants. Recipients have included Chris Ahr, Mimi Wiggins, Chris Davis and Ashleigh Bowerman.