Michelle Ramon is a busy San Antonio mother of four bright and active girls who love to go to the Magik Theatre. The girls look forward to dressing up for the performances and are enchanted by the live productions of classic children’s books. But coming to the Magik was often a challenge for Michelle’s daughter Shelby, who has Down Syndrome and often found it difficult to navigate the theatre to get to her seat. Since the theater had only one accessible bathroom stall, Shelby and her mom would have to wait in a long line at intermission to use the restroom or crowd into a smaller one, which did not afford them the privacy they needed and deserved. While Shelby does not use a wheelchair, many Magik patrons do, and the theatre didn’t have enough wheelchair-accessible seats to accommodate the need.
2017 High Impact Grant – Game Changer for Local Nonprofit Theatre
“Magik Theatre’s profile is to be accessible to all children,” says Frank Villani, CEO. Operating out of the historic Beethoven Hall in HemisFair Park, Magik Theatre recognized that the building was not easily accessible for children with cognitive and mobility challenges and their families. So Magik Theatre applied for a $100,000 Impact San Antonio grant in 2017 in the focus area of Arts and Culture. Receiving the High Impact Grant was a game changer for the arts nonprofit. The grant enabled Magik Theatre to renovate the restrooms to make three stalls fully accessible, significantly increase wheelchair seating in the auditorium, and update the rear entrance to the theatre with an access ramp.
“By upgrading the restrooms, audience seating and rear entrance, we moved some of the barriers for patrons who need specific accommodations,” Villani said. “Overall, these upgrades create a welcoming comfortable location that benefits every patron who enters the theatre.”
Magik Theatre is committed to more upgrades to the theatre to enhance the experience for children with cognitive and mobility challenges and their families. Because of the Impact San Antonio grant, Magik Theatre now has a 40-year lease on Beethoven Hall and can move forward with building renovations that will enhance accessibility and educational opportunities. Most importantly, Magik will remain a lasting and powerful force in the educational enrichment of San Antonio and South Texas children.
Empowering Women – Impacting Communities
Through its model of collective women’s giving, Impact SA is helping Magik Theatre to improve accessibility and fulfill its mission of creating magical storytelling and inspiring creativity and a love of learning.
Live theater brings literature &
characters to life for little fans.
