Arts Alive San Antonio

By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor

When we interviewed Kelly Hilliard Roush in 2018 after she became both executive and artistic director of the Classic Theater of San Antonio, she told us that she was honored to be the one to lead the still-young company into the second decade of its existence.

“I would like the see the Classic become a cornerstone of the community, so that we can continue to tell stories that need to be told in order to find out who we are as human beings today”, she said.

And she has done so for the past several years, with dedication, hard work and skilled leadership that helped the company build a growing audience, diversify its programming, and even survive the pandemic year by moving performances outdoors.

But, to the surprise of many, Roush recently announced her departure from the Classic, effective May 31. It was not an easy decision but it was one she made for the sake of her husband’s career and family togetherness. The couple and their two children will return to Minneapolis where they met and where she worked for 12 years.

So, how does she feel about leaving the Classic and San Antonio, the city she grew up in?

“I am feeling a myriad of things,” she said when we spoke with her last Saturday. “To be leaving the Classic, I am sad. At the same time, I am excited and exhilarated that the Classic will have the opportunity to take the next step forward, and for me to have some time with my family. It’s a good move for my family and my husband. So, yes, excited and a little heartbroken. It feels like the right thing to do even though it’s not easy.”

Roush joined the Classic Theatre in June 2015 as the part-time executive director, working along some of the company’s founders, such as Allan Ross, Diane Malone and Rick Malone. Before long, she became the full-time executive director and in 2018 was named artistic and executive director. During her six-year-tenure, she worked on six seasons of plays, directed quite a few productions herself – and acted in some, as well; introduced additional programming, called Second Series, and came up with the idea of outdoor shows at the Botanical Garden as a way to keep working and presenting plays during the past 12 months or so.

“Kelly breathes life into everything the theater does,” said board chair Randy Stier. “The board defined the vision and the mission for the Classic but it’s her talent and drive that energize that mission. And she does that both on the artistic and management side. She reads lots of plays, pays attention to what’s going on in San Antonio and picks the scripts that she feels are relevant to San Antonio audiences. She also hires the directors and the cast members. But she’s also our executive director who keeps the back shop running extremely well.”

He explained that Roush meets with donors, keeps track of grant writing and applications, and that she was the one to guide the company in selecting the outdoor performance option and the venue.

Asked what she considered as her major accomplishments, Roush cited the growing and diverse patron base, increased representation of women artists and playwrights, more diversity in casting and an increase in the number of productions. In addition, she has increased the number of equity contracts, which made it possible for the Classic to feature Actor Equity Association members in its productions.

Shakespeare, the Greeks, and great modern classics like “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekov, “Little Foxes” by Lillian Hellman and Henrick Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” have all been staged over the years but the Classic’s greatest hit during Roush’s tenure was “Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley,” a play written in 2016 by two American women – Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, featuring characters from the beloved novel “Pride and Prejudice.”

“We sold out all the performances during six-week runs both times (in two consecutive years),” said Roush who directed that play.

But now, Roush is looking forward to being on sabbatical from June 1 through Dec. 31 of this year.

”I am not taking on any major projects,” she said. “I think my major projects will be to help my older child learn to drive and help us all settle into our new home. My creative activity will be cheerleading our life. I am ready to have a cup of coffee and look out of my window for a while.”

While the search for her replacement is now officially posted on the Classic’s website, the board has also appointed two interim leaders: operations manager Ruben Jauregui, Jr. will serve as interim executive director, and UIW professor Mark Stringham will be the interim artistic director. He has worked with the Classic on a number of productions and is the director of the currently-playing season finale “Our Town.” The other staff members will stay, including Kacey Roye who has the new title of Community Engagement & Programming Associate. The application deadline for the top job is June 30^th, said search committee chair Alvin Loewenberg, who explained that his committee is looking for a single individual who can handle both the artistic and management sides of the job, like Roush has done.

As for Roush, she is busy putting the finishing touches on her plan for the 2021-22 season.

“It will be announced before I leave,” she promised.
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The current production “Our Town” runs Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Pl.; tickets must be purchased in advance and you have to bring your own chairs. For information call 210-589-8450, www.classictheatre.org.

To apply for the job of artistic/executive director go to Careers@ClassicTheatre.org