Emily Smith has been working in efficiency venues for over 20 years, nevertheless it’s attainable there has by no means been a extra thrilling time to do what she does. As basic supervisor of the Ambassador Theatre Group’s Majestic and Empire Theatres, Smith has been one of many driving forces behind San Antonio’s performing arts scene because it returns to full capability after its COVID-era shutdowns. Together with the historic theaters downtown, the Ambassador Theatre Group final 12 months acquired The Espee. The large out of doors venue previously generally known as Sundown Station provides a distinct sort of venue to the group’s portfolio and Smith’s skill to craft new viewers experiences in San Antonio.
How did you get into the theater trade?
I truly began my profession with the Majestic and Empire. I studied on the College of the Incarnate Phrase, and upon graduating, I responded to an advert for a advertising assistant with the theatres. Broadway in San Antonio was offered right here on the theatres and we had a number of totally different theatrical collection within the Empire. Actually, that’s after I knew I needed to be in a inventive and collaborative atmosphere. I used to be learning communications, and after I acquired to the Majestic and Empire and discovered the ins and outs of how you can promote a present and all of the items that go on behind the scenes, I used to be hooked.
Clearly, the performing arts scene modified fairly a bit with the pandemic. How do you’re feeling in regards to the state of performing arts in San Antonio now, and what do you assume continues to be wanted?
Nicely, talking from our expertise, popping out of COVID now we have seen that the neighborhood was prepared to return again. Our performances are properly attended, audiences are excited to have the ability to come again to Broadway and dwell live shows, and we had been doing every thing we might to verify these experiences had been secure. So, there was lots of enthusiasm, pleasure and help round coming again, and it continues to maneuver in that route. So far as our programming is worried, it simply continues to extend. The pandemic additionally opened up conversations about alternative ways to current dwell leisure. Definitely, we had been fascinated with this earlier than COVID, however we proceed to consider it. As we all know, leisure {dollars} are valuable. You need probably the most out of your evening out. On the theaters, we’re fascinated with not simply how we are able to supply the artists and theatrical performances we all know the neighborhood might wish to see—which we’re engaged on bringing to the theaters—but in addition what else they need after they’re coming to the theater. How can we provide these alternatives, in order that audiences can curate their very own expertise after they come to the Majestic or the Empire Theatre? We’ve launched some premium improve experiences, some lounge experiences, and the Majestic and Empire now have in-seat hospitality alternatives. There’s even a espresso bar within the Majestic Theater now. So, it’s all about listening to buyer suggestions and fascinated with how we are able to supply some totally different alternatives.
Final spring, the Ambassador Theatre Group additionally opened a brand new venue, The Espee. What’s your imaginative and prescient for the venue, and what do you assume it brings to the dwell music scene in San Antonio?
It’s thrilling for San Antonio as a result of it’s an outside boutique amphitheater. The capability is 3,175, and it’s in our metropolis heart on the East Aspect. It’s the good complement to the historic Majestic and Empire Theatres, that are seated venues. Inside our group, now having an open flooring, out of doors venue that’s basic admission, it simply opens up the chance for extra varieties of dwell leisure to return to San Antonio. I’m so enthusiastic about that. Sundown Station can be a historic website—the amphitheater is on the positioning of the primary rail station in San Antonio, in-built 1902. Espee is a nickname for Southern Pacific (SP). It’s an enthralling area and has a tremendous view of our metropolis skyline. So, we’re enthusiastic about bringing extra dwell music to The Espee after which additionally persevering with with the extra occasions on this particular area.
What are you most excited for within the coming months?
Essentially the most rewarding a part of this function is to expertise the viewers’s expertise. With the dwell leisure that’s coming to any one of many venues, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. Our groups work so arduous to make it occur flawlessly. The present is at all times the icing on the cake and seeing our patrons and followers and friends come into the venue and expertise the atmosphere that we’ve had the chance to create for them, actually, that’s the most enjoyable factor for me. I’m wanting ahead to many extra productions all through the three venues this 12 months and experiencing that with audiences. For so long as I’ve been doing this—now for over 20 years—I nonetheless get goosebumps and my eyes tear up when I’ve these experiences within the theater as a result of it’s simply so shifting to see the communities coming collectively and having fun with our areas. And all three of those venues are historic landmarks. They’re distinctive to San Antonio, and we’re so fortunate that we get to be right here and be stewards of the venues, however these are San Antonio’s gems. Having the chance to expertise the neighborhood experiencing them and coming collectively is fantastic.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
Reality file
Resume:
Emily Smith began with the Majestic and Empire Theatres in 1999. She labored for the SBC (now Frost Financial institution) Heart, at venues in Austin and on the SA Youngsters’s Museum earlier than returning to the Majestic and Emipre Theatres in 2011.
Coming Subsequent:
An Night with John Cusack, Sept. 13 on the Majestic Theatre; Switchfoot, Sept. 23 at The Espee; Eric Gales, Oct. 1 on the Empire Theatre; Six the Musical, Oct. 10-22 on the Majestic Theatre
