Services provided:
- Conducted a Planning / Feasibility Study to identify, qualify and begin cultivation of potential major gift donors for a $77 million capital campaign.
- In anticipation of a board development effort, identified and establish successful strategy for recruitment of influential community members interested in joining board.
- In anticipation of a capital campaign, identified and established successful strategy to recruit community members to join campaign team.
- Worked with campaign team members and state legislators to secure a $30 million state award to the Ritz
Project Description
A 1,000-seat 1924 historic theatre that will optimize its potential for community impact with a state-of-the-art, dramatic addition that will add a black box performance space, expanded lobby, upscale cuisine and beverage service, meeting spaces and a two-level rooftop, outdoor garden.
The Ritz Theatre, a nearly century‑old Corpus Christi landmark built in 1929, was the brainchild of architect Scott Dunne, blending Art Deco and Spanish Renaissance styles to create an “image of fantasy.” With its illuminated sky ceiling, moving cloud machines, and two‑story lobby mezzanine accommodating roughly 1,300 guests, it quickly became one of the finest “movie palaces” in Texas . Over the decades it evolved into a live‑performance venue, hosting legends like Willie Nelson, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, and more, until its final closure in 1989 .
Now under the stewardship of Ritz Theatre, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the mission is bold: to rehabilitate and expand the historic theatre into a modern, top‑tier entertainment and educational venue. The vision includes a versatile range of events—professional and broadcast performances, classic and art film screenings, community productions, corporate and civic gatherings, as well as private celebrations such as weddings and quinceañeras . Situated in downtown Corpus Christi, it aims to serve a regional population of over 500,000 and the 8 million annual visitors, becoming both a cultural hub and economic catalyst .
Momentum is building: the Texas Legislature recently awarded $30 million in June 2025 through the Texas Historical Commission, complementing earlier grants—from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation’s $50,000 to over $2 million in total funds raised . A diverse coalition of partners and funders—ranging from AEP Texas and H‑E‑B to architectural and engineering collaborators like OTJ Architects, Schuler Shook, and EverGreene—have joined the effort . Together, they’re set to restore this historic treasure not just as a venue, but as a beacon for arts, education, and community revitalization.
