Gallery: Beyond the Visit

A common theatre term, the “house” in the line “when all through the house” refers to the auditorium. Spanish for “the houses,” Las Casas’ name reflects our culturally diverse city and originated from the idea of the venues of the Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire Theatre as houses for the performing arts. The Las Casas name also comes from the acronym for the Foundation for Cultural Arts in San Antonio, the organization’s legal name.

A common theatre term, the “house” in the line “when all through the house” refers to the auditorium. Spanish for “the houses,” Las Casas’ name reflects our culturally diverse city and originated from the idea of the venues of the Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire Theatre as houses for the performing arts. The Las Casas name also comes from the acronym for the Foundation for Cultural Arts in San Antonio, the organization’s legal name.

The “visions of starlight” refers to the stars of the Majestic Theatre. Not arranged in any haphazard manner, experts at National Geographic were consulted about the exact placement of the stars on June 14, 1929, the Majestic Theatre’s opening night; the stars were positioned accordingly.

According to Playbill.com, “a ghost light is a single bulb left burning whenever a theatre is dark. Some argue that its function is to chase away mischievous spirits; others insist it lights the way for the ghosts that are said to inhabit virtually every theatre, keeping them happy and contented. Either way, that light ensures that no one takes an accidental tumble off the stage.”

The Joci Awards, historically held at the Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, is the culmination of Las Casas Foundation’s annual scholarship program and highlights performing arts students from San Antonio and South Texas, competing for scholarship money to pursue higher education. Now in its 13th year, the scholarship program has awarded over $1 million in scholarship funds to deserving students, maintaining its designation as one of the largest funding sources of its kind in the country.

In 2020, in collaboration with Blanchard Creative Group and Walley Films, the Joci Awards went virtual. The show premiered on YouTube on Sunday, May 16 (the date of the originally scheduled Joci Awards) to over 500 viewers. The presentation now boasts over 3,000 views.

In 1921, a storm caused the San Antonio River to rise and flood the downtown area. Approximately nine feet of water drained into the theatre’s orchestra level and the plasterwork, woodwork and gold-leaf interior were damaged. Rather than repair the damage back to the original design, the entire theatre was painted a monotone white, burying the rich detail that once gleamed. After being dark for 20 years, Las Casas Foundation restored this crown jewel to “golden glory” in 1998 at an approximate cost of $5.5 million.

The “wood-like” ceiling in the Majestic Theatre rotunda is actually made of plaster. The chandelier, an original part of the theatre when it opened on June 14, 1929, is reminiscent of a golden crown with precious gems.

One of San Antonio’s most active community leaders, Joci Straus is Founding Chairperson of Las Casas Foundation. Through Las Casas, she was the driving force behind the restoration of San Antonio’s historic Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire Theatres, focusing attention and resources for their restoration and continued preservation. After years of support and participation in Las Casas’ efforts to restore the Majestic and Empire Theatres, Charline and B.J. “Red” McCombs made a generous donation for the restoration of the Empire Theatre. This donation allowed the theatre’s renovation to be completed. The theatre was renamed the “Charline McCombs Empire Theatre” in recognition of the donation. Two “incredible dames” indeed!

One of San Antonio’s most active community leaders, Joci Straus is Founding Chairperson of Las Casas Foundation. Through Las Casas, she was the driving force behind the restoration of San Antonio’s historic Majestic and Charline McCombs Empire Theatres, focusing attention and resources for their restoration and continued preservation. After years of support and participation in Las Casas’ efforts to restore the Majestic and Empire Theatres, Charline and B.J. “Red” McCombs made a generous donation for the restoration of the Empire Theatre. This donation allowed the theatre’s renovation to be completed. The theatre was renamed the “Charline McCombs Empire Theatre” in recognition of the donation. Two “incredible dames” indeed! After years of support and participation in Las Casas’ efforts to restore the Majestic and Empire Theatres, Charline and B.J. “Red” McCombs donated $1 million for the restoration of the Empire Theatre. This generous donation allowed the theatre’s renovation to be completed. The theatre was renamed the “Charline McCombs Empire Theatre” in recognition of the donation. Two “incredible dames” indeed!

The Majestic Theatre officially opened on June 14, 1929, also Flag Day. The theatre’s 90th birthday was celebrated in 2019.