Letter from the Artistic Director
|
In 2020, live performances were not feasible. Alamo City Arts pivoted and made the decision to produce The Nutcracker film, while it would never take the place of a live performance, it was still a huge success.Friends, Family, Patrons, and Supporters of Alamo City Arts, Alamo City Arts Academy and Alamo City Dance Company:
2021, just like 2020, has been a challenging year for everyone, especially those in the performing arts. Covid -19 has had an unprecedented social and economic impact that has required resiliency, creativity, and support from the community to navigate. We have seen performing arts organizations postponing their seasons, cancelling their seasons, and sadly in many cases they are closing their doors permanently. Alamo City Arts faced the same challenges but with support from the City of San Antonio, Community Partners and, most importantly, you we have been able to persevere and in many cases thrive. |
Then in the spring, two incredible performance opportunities presented themselves. Our first production, Camille Saint Saën’s Carnival of the Animals, was going to be an exclusively filmed event at the San Antonio Zoo. The Zoo was so excited about what we were doing and the return of their patrons that we were asked to expand what we were doing and deliver a Covid safe live performance. In collaboration with Dr. Kneer and Symphony Viva, we experienced our first return to a “stage” since the pandemic began. It meant so much to lead the way in letting everyone know that live performing was returning. Secondly, we were commissioned to help open the sculpture garden at the McNay. Again, staying with in the safety protocols of the museum, small vignettes were produced, each inspired by the different sculptures throughout the garden.
Opportunities continued to present themselves. Over the summer Alamo City Arts was able to permanently take residence in its own facility. In the
fall we took an even larger step forward and partnered with Symphony Viva to perform Spanish Sketches at the Majestic Theatre. All this has been
building to the show we are so excited to be bring to you today, our 29th incarnation of the Nutcracker.
We have learned a lot in exploring the many nontraditional ways to bring the arts to you. I am proud of the determination and dedication our
Alamo City Dance Company artistic team has shown to support the Alamo City Arts’ mission of bringing the performing arts to the greater San
Antonio community despite many obstacles. Nothing feeds the souls of our city’s artists and brings joy to community members and patrons like
the curtain rising on our beloved McAlister stage. These performances would not have been possible without countless hours of planning and
hard work by all the members of the Association.
Specifically, I’d like to thank Cory McRae. He is the foundation for all the wonderful opportunities our company has received and his vision for the
future continues to feed our mission. You will rarely see Cory in the spotlight, his effort is put in behind the curtain setting up our performers
to shine in front of you. The organization would not be where it is today without his tireless dedication and leadership. He is truly the heart of our
organization. I would also like to thank Susan Trevino for her mentorship in this new chapter of our organization. Her beautiful artistic vision and
endless talent is what makes our productions shine. She elevates us all to new levels of professionalism and is tirelessly dedicated to our dancers. I
am truly privileged to get to call her my friend. To our dancers and their families, thank you all for your dedication and commitment to the full run
of our production. Finally I would like to thank Alamo City Arts’ Board of Directors who are the engine that drive our productions to completion.
On a personal note, I am extremely humbled by the appointment granted to me by the Executive Board of ACPAA as Artistic Director of Alamo City
Dance Company as well as the school director of the newly founded Alamo City Arts Academy. Alongside Dr. Joseph Kneer, I am proud to be a
part of Alamo City Arts, San Antonio’s premiere performing arts presenter. I promise to continuously bring a new light, energy, and joy to the Alamo
City Dance Company throughout my tenure as Artistic Director. We will tirelessly work to provide you with unique performance opportunities while prioritizing the health and safety of all our artists. While this pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our
organization, it has also resulted in a blooming of many fruitful community partnerships that we are excited to continue in to the future.
To a beautiful day and bright future,
Katie R. Hall
Opportunities continued to present themselves. Over the summer Alamo City Arts was able to permanently take residence in its own facility. In the
fall we took an even larger step forward and partnered with Symphony Viva to perform Spanish Sketches at the Majestic Theatre. All this has been
building to the show we are so excited to be bring to you today, our 29th incarnation of the Nutcracker.
We have learned a lot in exploring the many nontraditional ways to bring the arts to you. I am proud of the determination and dedication our
Alamo City Dance Company artistic team has shown to support the Alamo City Arts’ mission of bringing the performing arts to the greater San
Antonio community despite many obstacles. Nothing feeds the souls of our city’s artists and brings joy to community members and patrons like
the curtain rising on our beloved McAlister stage. These performances would not have been possible without countless hours of planning and
hard work by all the members of the Association.
Specifically, I’d like to thank Cory McRae. He is the foundation for all the wonderful opportunities our company has received and his vision for the
future continues to feed our mission. You will rarely see Cory in the spotlight, his effort is put in behind the curtain setting up our performers
to shine in front of you. The organization would not be where it is today without his tireless dedication and leadership. He is truly the heart of our
organization. I would also like to thank Susan Trevino for her mentorship in this new chapter of our organization. Her beautiful artistic vision and
endless talent is what makes our productions shine. She elevates us all to new levels of professionalism and is tirelessly dedicated to our dancers. I
am truly privileged to get to call her my friend. To our dancers and their families, thank you all for your dedication and commitment to the full run
of our production. Finally I would like to thank Alamo City Arts’ Board of Directors who are the engine that drive our productions to completion.
On a personal note, I am extremely humbled by the appointment granted to me by the Executive Board of ACPAA as Artistic Director of Alamo City
Dance Company as well as the school director of the newly founded Alamo City Arts Academy. Alongside Dr. Joseph Kneer, I am proud to be a
part of Alamo City Arts, San Antonio’s premiere performing arts presenter. I promise to continuously bring a new light, energy, and joy to the Alamo
City Dance Company throughout my tenure as Artistic Director. We will tirelessly work to provide you with unique performance opportunities while prioritizing the health and safety of all our artists. While this pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to our
organization, it has also resulted in a blooming of many fruitful community partnerships that we are excited to continue in to the future.
To a beautiful day and bright future,
Katie R. Hall