Description
Theatre Victoria follows a valued theatrical tradition in Victoria, Texas. As the resident company of the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, Theatre Victoria annually produces musical and play productions, presents professional artists and companies to the regional communities, and supports a theatre education program that includes a two week intensive theatre camp and 20 week youth academy emphasizing acting, singing and theatre dance training. The theatre company also acts as facility manager, operator and technical consultant for the Welder Center.
Founded in 1977, Theatre Victoria is registered as Victoria Community Theatre Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to support an educational environment for instruction in acting and stagecraft, offer a variety of "live" performances for volunteers to participate and polish their skills and provide an opportunity for all citizens to view and experience vicariously the thrill and enjoyment of "live" theatrical performances. Theatre Victoria is governed by a 13 member Board of Governors and has grown from a handful of participants, who stored their properties, sets and costumes in borrowed garages and performed only a few times a year, to a core of 150 active volunteers producing five productions annually and filling over 10,000 seats to cheering patrons in its new home at the Welder Center.
Theatre Victoria has embarked on a journey that puts Victoria, South Texas and the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts in the national limelight. The theatre company is building strategic partnerships with local arts organizations, businesses, individuals - setting the stage for excellence in arts education, show quality and patron experience to directly impact the quality of life in this South Texas region. Theatre changes people's lives.
Theatre Victoria is creating opportunities for students and members of the community to work directly with professional performing artists. These artists are Broadway actors and professional singers and musicians direct from New York City, Grammy winning recording and pop artists, television and motion picture actors as well as directors and choreographers who work regionally, nationally and internationally. The collaboration with these artists allows Theatre Victoria to demonstrate the value of arts in education to Victoria's diverse and vibrant population from a practical perspective (educational outreach) following through to the end result (performance). This partnership shows from start to finish - training and education → opportunities available → achievable dreams.
This is the framework Theatre Victoria is creating to be the premier regional theatre of South Texas. The partnerships Theatre Victoria builds locally will enhance the professional relationships that are being offered to the region. These relationships are to be cultivated, strengthened and enhanced through active participation and collaboration - locally and nationally. Theatre Victoria and the Welder Center offer opportunities for personal and professional growth in business, education and the arts.
