The curtain is rising on a historic change at San Antonio's longest-standing theater company. The Public Theater of San Antonio is rebranding as the San Pedro Playhouse, a name it previously held and one that residents have clamored to return to. "Everyone that I talked to and reconnected with from the theater community continued to say to me, please change the name back," Asia Ciaravino, the President and CEO of the now San Pedro Playhouse, told the San Antonio Report.

The change to embrace the theater’s origins seems to justly resonate with an audience that holds the Playhouse's 95-year history in high esteem. The name revision also precedes an ambitious lineup for the 2024-25 season, known as "Season of Legends" — titles that include theatrical heavyweights like The Rocky Horror Show, Jersey Boys, and Romeo and Juliet. In a statement obtained by the San Antonio Current, Ciaravino emphasized the theater's role in the narrative of human connection, saying that it's a place "where artists can explore, innovate, and to also amplify their voices."

Not only is the company embracing its past with a renewed name, but it's also basking in the success of a recent fundraising effort. The "Save the Playhouse" campaign surpassed its $500,000 goal by a considerable margin, securing $800,000 in donations, which included a sizable $100,000 Challenge Grant from the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts. According to the San Antonio Report, these funds will bolster the theater’s capabilities to support arts that are "building the next creative community."

Revitalization efforts don't stop at a name change and successful fundraising. The former Cellar Theater, now rechristened the Classic Theatre, will play host to a collaboration with the eponymous local theatre group. The partnership is set to present diverse productions under the San Pedro Playhouse's umbrella during the new season, further blending the old with the new to foster a strong theatrical future. Performances are set to take stage both indoors and outdoors, making use of the scenic San Pedro Springs Park, added the San Antonio Current.

Ticket details have been released for theater enthusiasts chomping at the bit to witness the revival in real-time. Season subscriptions for existing subscribers are already underway, with new subscriber sales set to open on May 6, while those wanting to snag single-performance tickets will have to wait to purchase until July 1. Information can be found on the San Pedro Playhouse’s website.