San Antonio, Texas. ART Magazine
By Carolina Betancourt.
Photography by David Frank.
The Magik Theatre is a place where anything is possible. Where cows can use a typewriter, where a mouse can go to school or where fairy tales come to life. A place that can open the doors of endless imagination and wonder.
San Antonio has the privilege to be the home of The Magik Theatre. This children’s theatre was founded in 1994 by its Executive Director Richard Rosen. The idea was not only encouraged by the lack of general theatre audience in the city, but it came more specifically from his children, “At the time my kids where 13 and 7, and there was nothing for them’’ recalled Rosen. The Magik Theatre began with a group of professionals who were willing to work and explore their own imaginations in order to introduce quality theatre into the whimsical world of children.
The aim of the theatre goes beyond making children giggle and squeal. Every show is designed to open up children’s imagination and minds through the vibrant energy from the stage and a complementing study guide. In addition every production is based on a children’s book, because according to Rosen, literacy is a major guiding force behind the theatre; “The Magik Theatre bases it’s productions on books that young people read in school. Literacy is one of the important parts of our mission. We believe that seeing books brought to life on guides young people down the road to literacy. When they see a book brought to life, it makes them want to read the book. Once children start reading one book, they are led to read another, and another. That’s what developing literate young people is all about”. The inspiration and art education does not stop after curtain call, the theatre also offers programs that allows children to explore what theatre is all about. It offers Camp Showbiz, The Acting and Creativity Academy and Xcelerated Theatre, which is a unique theatre program that works with at-risk youths. It also has touring companies like Shakespeare Speaks, which tours high schools and middle schools and allows students to get to know Shakespeare a little better.
The last 14 years have been all about evolution for the Magik Theatre, its has gone from a ambitious idea to a place where families come together to share quality time and good art. The attraction of the Magik Theatre is not solely based on their professional productions, it also lies in the inspiration and happiness that children and their families carry with them as they leave every show.
For information about tickets, shows and their programs, visit www.Magiktheatre.org.
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- Photography by David Frank.
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- Photography by David Frank.
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- Photography by David Frank.
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- Photography by David Frank.
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- Photography by David Frank.
