Report from San Antonio – LHAT 2010 Annual Conference

For its 34^th annual conference, the League of Historic American Theatres descended upon San Antonio from July 13-18. Despite major issues with the host hotel. The conference was successful on many levels. Attended by over 220 historic theatre operators and industry service providers, this annual sharing and learning exercise is always a great way to reconnect, recharge and experience the host city’s historic venues. The pre-conference ramble this year was spread out over two days and tfound us trekking to Georgetown (Palace Theatre) and Austin (Paramount Theatre, Scottish Rite Children’s Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse Ritz Theatre, State Theatre, the San Pedro Playhouse, Carver Community Cultural Center, and the Guadalupe Theatre).  Other theatres that were explored this year in San Antonio proper included; the, Municipal Auditorium, Majestic Theatre, Empire Theatre and the Magik Theatre.

What did we all learn this year? Success is possible, it takes many forms, it takes time and money. Theatres need to build relationships, be tech savvy (social media is a must) and be creative with partnerships and programming. We learned all about LHAT’s new website (www.lhat.org) and its expanding network and information sharing role and that the organization is surviving despite tough times all over.

Once again the League demonstrates to its membership the value of numbers and collective experience to accomplish the goal of returning these valuable facilities to productive use within our communities.

Posted on: July 22, 2010