| Corpus
Christi PATCH
Positive Action Towards Cultural Heritage
Dedicated to restoring the Ritz Theatre in Corpus
Christi, Texas.
Corpus
Christi PATCH, Inc. Positive
Action Towards Cultural Heritage
PATCH
Board of Directors
- > Click here to read bios.
Monica
McLeod Sawyer, President
Joye LaBarrett, Vice President, Production
JJ Hart, Treasurer
Laura N. Bennett, AIA
Eric Brunkenhoefer
Jacqueline Chrobocinski
Evon Kelly
Mark Rushton
Cara Edge, Honorary member and Founder
Dr. Clifford Edge, Adviser
The
PATCH Plan (the short version)
Founders: Monica McLeod Sawyer and Cara
Edge
Historic Theatre Adviser: Dr. Clifford
Edge
PATCH
Mission:
The purpose of PATCH is to develop, foster and promote
the arts as valuable experiences, central to the
lives of the community. Towards this goal, PATCH will
undertake the following activities:
- Restore
and develop the Ritz Theatre into a state-of-the-art,
multi-purpose arts and entertainment
venue.
-
Initiate programs in art, music, dance and theatre to
serve the citizens of Corpus Christi and South
Texas.
-
Create jobs with a positive environment and promote
a higher worth for fields in the arts.
-
Conduct ongoing planning and assistance for the growth
of the arts and arts venues in the community.
-
Facilitate a cohesive entertainment district by promoting
the communication and relationships
between new and existing downtown venues.
- Increase
interest and traffic to downtown and enhance pedestrian
use.
-
Connect downtown to the SEA district (Sports, Entertainment
and Arts district near the Port of
Corpus Christi) by creating a pedestrian friendly passage.
-
Work closely with the school districts, colleges and
universities and other educational institutions on
the development of educational arts programs.
-
Promote cultural diversity and preserve the heritage
of South Texas.
-
Develop an awareness in the community of the value of
the arts in Corpus Christi.
PATCH
– Positive Action Towards Cultural Heritage
Change. It has the power to uplift, to heal, to stimulate,
surprise, open new doors, bring fresh experience
and create excitement in life. Certainly it is worth the
risk. —Leo Buscaglia
For over 20 years, various small groups have made efforts
to restore the Ritz Theatre. One fine October
day, two ladies were playing Frisbee golf and hatched
the idea of PATCH. The idea was not a complicated one:
restore the Ritz and execute a plan for success. But this
plan was different. Success wasn’t limited to the
business of theatre. Success would be achieved by rebuilding
a section of downtown, facilitating a cohesive entertainment
district and connecting new developments to the old. A
daunting task so some, but to the founders of PATCH, there
is no alternative to success.
PATCH
has many different levels. The umbrella idea is: Positive
Action Towards Cultural Heritage.
The key word is action. 20 years ago the Ritz still stood
in disrepair. What has changed in 20 years?
Hopefully, the community has realized by experience that
change does not happen without individual
commitment and action. For a city to truly be great, it
must have a thriving downtown. You never hear
anyone say, “we just got back from this wonderful
vacation to the strip mall capital of the world.”
A
downtown is the “heart” of a city and can
sometimes make or break an economy. Studies prove that
healthy downtowns have a direct impact on surges in job
growth throughout the metropolitan area. Corpus Christi
needs help. PATCH, along with many good action-oriented
groups, will push for change and make it happen. It’s
already happening next door in the SEA district and PATCH
wants to facilitate that growth. The Ritz Theatre’s
restoration and the reemergence of a cultural hub will
serve an important turning point for the immediate downtown
area and stimulate others into action. The development
of dynamic programming and educational services will invigorate
the community and inspire more and more people to frequent
downtown, giving prospective business owners incentives
to relocate or create new businesses in the area. PATCH
will also facilitate the communication between existing
arts and entertainment programs and venues. Corpus Christi
does not have the luxury of a wealthy infrastructure of
resources. Small groups are scattered about the city trying
to make a difference and if we work together, we can achieve
larger goals. PATCH will organize partnered marketing
plans between venues to stimulate and attract visitors
from out of town and out of state. PATCH will partner
with existing arts groups to promote festivals and events
to expand the draw and demographics. PATCH will keep “action”
as a key word in every project.
PATCH - Performing Arts Theatre Creates Harmony
The
stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts,
but is also the return of art to life. --Oscar
Wilde
PATCH’s
largest undertaking will be restoring the Ritz Theatre,
built in 1929. We have a responsibility to
restore this house of creativity. We need to respect the
history and the courage of those before us who
found the passion and drive to create this theatre in
the first place. Corpus Christi is desperate for an indoor,
medium sized venue. Many local groups are desperate for
a new home. PATCH will restore the Ritz Theatre, retaining
the original style of Spanish Renaissance and develop
the theatre into a state-of-the-art entertainment venue.
The demands of today’s entertainment industry are
great. The Ritz will be a major player in attracting high-profile
entertainers because of the updated facility and what
it can provide to a possible entertainer. Recording and
broadcasting capabilities will be installed to allow for
recording live performances and broadcasting events sponsored
by local radio stations. The stage will be created to
accommodate the specific demands of top-level ballet and
performance professionals. Movie, sound and
lighting equipment will match those of the best venues.
A kitchen is planned to expand the use of the Ritz for
catering community events and conferences. The main theatre
floor will be reconfigured for multi
purpose use - removable seating for general admission
music shows to tables and chairs for dinner theatre. The
lobby will be restored to it’s original two-story
design and updated to be a coffee shop/lounge area and
ticket master outlet, open during the day, further expanding
the use of the space. The Ritz Theatre will be a major
draw for local, national and international artists looking
to perform in a new venue with amazing atmosphere. The
year-round programming being developed by PATCH, in partnership
with the various groups in Corpus Christi, is very exciting
and will be a vital part of the success of the Ritz Theatre.
Upon
completion of the restoration, the Ritz Theatre will be
operated as a performance and presentation
facility with a variety of events including:
- Professional
Performance – Vocal, instrumental and/or
dance artists will enjoy performing in a
facility with outstanding acoustics, stage, facilities
and seating
-
Broadcast Performace – Original
music performances broadcast to the public through an
“Austin
City Limits” type show.
-
Cinema – The Ritz will show classic
cinema and art film presented in the “movie palace”
style.
Vintage films, silent film festivals, current foreign,
art films and documentaries will also be
exhibited.
-
Cultural Productions – Performances
will include those of local groups such as ballet, choir,
community theatre, dance, concerts and plays.
-
Conventions, Meetings and Lectures
– Corporations, churches and civic groups will
be able to use the theatre. Lectures and other such
events will be held including motivational, instructional
or
career training seminars. Hi-tech communication interfacing
capabilities with other facilities
throughout the country are planned.
-
Private Events – The Ritz will
be available to rent for private parties, benefits and
other.
Corpus
Christi PATCH Inc.
402 Peoples St., Ste. 1A
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
info@ccpatch.org
ph. 361-887-6055
f x. 361-887-6056
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