Texas Actors workshop was exactly what I was looking for! I needed someone to take my acting career…read moreto the next level. That is exactly what John McAteer helped me accomplish by assisting me in signing with the fantastic talent agency, Pastorini-Bosby. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned actor, Texas Actors Workshop is the right place to go. John has cultivated great connections in the industry and knows the business. The classes are structured in such a way that simulates how the actual business operates such as auditions, casting, performances, redirects, notes, etc. Through the workshop's connections there are multiple chances to connect with filmmakers, casting directors, agents, and other professionals in the business. If you are committed, John will absolutely go to the mat to get opportunities for you. Most importantly, the workshop process is a great. Actors are forced to tap into their creativity and imaginations to write monologues and scenes (don't worry; John helps you with the mechanics of the actual writing). Even those who don't aspire to be "writers" MUST be able to imagine and create worlds in their minds if they ever hope to be good actors. I cannot stress this enough: Acting is storytelling! John, kindly and firmly, pushes every person in the class to tap into their unique stories and creativity. He's endlessly upbeat and positive and gives every person his attention as if he or she was his only student. If you are just dabbling in film acting or you're ready to take your career to the next level, Texas Actors Workshop is the place for you!

This workshop left much to be desired. The workshop is advertised as a place to train for 'acting…read moreon film,' yet literally NOTHING is filmed in the classroom unless you bring your own camera and have someone film your scenes for you. The workshop classes are divided into three levels, with each level being further divided between adults and youth students. Level I starts with writing an original monologue where you star as the character. Once you finish the monologue, which could take anywhere between months and a year, depending on your attendance, you begin writing a scene based off of the monologue. If John McAteer , the head of the workshop, deems you "ready," you advance to Level II. In Level II, you do some improve, scene writing, and occasionally act out scenes, usually the same scene or scenes for weeks, which is not how your typical audition works. Again, none of this is put on film for you to see yourself, which is contrary to how many other workshops I've attended have operated. You must be "invited" into the Advanced level class, which from what I have seen, is based more off of how long you have attended the workshop rather than your advanced skill level. Also, unlike most other workshops, the scheduled time for classes is far from consistent. On Tuesdays, Level I youth starts at 4:30pm and is supposed to end at 5:30pm, but often ends up running until after 6pm or later. Level I for teens/adults is supposed to start at 5:30pm, but often starts 6pm or later, and is supposed to end at 8pm, but rarely does. Level II for teens/adults is supposed to begin at 8pm, but often starts later. In fact, it's not unusual for Level II class to run passed the closing time for the JCC (10pm), at which point, John would have you outside the front of the building working a scene or scenes well passed midnight. This especially sucks if you have class or a job to go to early the next day. If there is a positive about the workshop its the opportunity to meet like-minded people with similar goals, but anyone wanting to grow as an actor/actress should otherwise steer clear of this workshop. Many of the exercises are overdone and not well planned, and the head of the workshop is terrible at managing time properly.

We recently saw the last showing of "Anything Goes" with music by Cole Porter here at the San Pedro…read morePlayhouse. A small local theater with plenty of easy free parking. It was easy access checking in and our seats were located in the very last row mid section. We didn't know what to expect, but the seats were excellent! Great views. The performance was stellar! Cheeky humor, singing, and tap dancing which is not often seen these days anymore. Show was 2 1/2 hour with a 15 minute intermission. Restrooms were available and a bar. Pre show, the stage was set for public bar access, and then later the set up was incorporated into the stage when the show started. Cute idea! I would totally come back! Great show, clean establishment, easy parking : )

First time visiting this gorgeous gem. I went to the Edgar Allen Poe speakeasy. This theater is…read morepreserved beautifully. It's nice, cool and clean with comfortable seats. The staff was friendly and amazingly talented. They were pulling double duty as bartenders, servers, MCs and actors. They were definitely impressive!! Can't wait to visit again for another exquisite experience. It was a great time.

Opera San Antonio was founded by the resident opera company of the Tobin Center for the Performing…read moreArts, with the mission of bringing high-quality performances and world-class opera to the San Antonio community. Their dedicated staff work tirelessly in production to deliver truly memorable performances each season. Many people feel somewhat intimidated by opera, but they need not! You don't have to speak a foreign language, or be knowledgeable about an opera's history or composer, to feel a connection to the music, and the raw emotion and passion of the performers. It's a unique experience that is difficult to put into words. Additionally, for those who do want to understand more about the performance, the entire thing is subtitled! A screen hangs above the stage, projecting the English translation. I attended a concert version of Il Trovatore here (put on by the magnificent San Antonio Symphony and cosponsored by Opera San Antonio) and it was truly breathtaking. Performances are limited, so I recommend planning ahead. I'm already looking forward to attending Opera San Antonio production of The Barber of Seville next season (2016-2017). As I mentioned, I'm a fan of planning ahead, but that being said; they often offer great promotions and specials for last-minute tickets! There are MANY wonderful productions year round at The Tobin Center (Ballet San Antonio, Opera San Antonio, and San Antonio Symphony) so be sure to check their calendar! To sum it up: in this girl's humble opinion, a visit to Opera San Antonio is a "must" for any San Antonio local or tourist alike who appreciates art, music, and new experiences.

The Opera San Antonio is a delightful experience! I attended their performances of La Boheme and…read moreFaust, and I was swept away by every aspect of the sets, the music, and the performers. It was the perfect first opera experience. If you have never attended an opera before, or if you are a music connoisseur, I highly recommend the Opera San Antonio!

We attended a performance of Crystal City 1969 on Friday. The chairs were not comfortable and…read moreinadequate room was between rows to pass the people sitting in the seats even if they stood.up for you. The subject matter of the play was interesting, and the cast did a great job. At the end of the play one of the actors said"to the gringos in the audience" and stuck his middle finger up then stated "up yours". This was uncalled for and a very rude gesture to any white people in the audience. One of the male speakers after the show was evidently a dreamer who has had years to have become a citizen, but has not and bashes this country where he has had achieved hinges he may not have achieved had his family been deported. He kept stressing that he is not allowed to vote which is a civil duty of legal citizens. Too bad he turned it into the liberal agenda.

The fact that we still have some sorta cultural arts center in a city that still caters to sports…read moreand metal is no small feat. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is living proof that there is still a need for the arts in our city and that local grassroots businesses can still thrive here. I went to the Cine-festival on this night, to catch a movie about masked wrestlers and then a full length feature movie. The venue is really nice, looks like a theater from days of old. It's pretty bare bones. One of the caveats here is the parking situation. When they have music, theatrical or cine events the parking situation can prove to be hairy here. You can park alongside the theater, like most patrons do to avoid the dirt way parking provided by the theater. My advice is to get there super early so you can get the best parking and also seating for any event. The last minute stragglers are usually the ones you hear gasping, sighing or rolling their eyes. But like the old adage, which is the case with most situations, "the early bird does indeed get the worm." Another bit of concern and contention are the concession prices. On this day I bought a bucket of popcorn smaller than the one you would get a the Regal for 8 bucks. And on top of that the brewskies are not cheap here either. But my understanding is that most of those monies go back into funding the center, so buy at least one thing, it will be for a good cause. The seating is kinda interesting too. Since it wavers between a venue for music and movies your view can be obstructed. And if you are a shorty like me, it just takes some tall Flint-stone headed person to ruin your experience. Again, choose your seating wisely; get there early to prevent this. Given all this you say why do I give it a 5 star rating? Because unlike other venues this is really an intimate setting to see entertainment. Big name producers, filmmakers clammer to get their films shown here. On this night I saw David Riker's excellent film, "The Girl". What made this night truly special is a few seats away the director was checking out the movie with the rest of the audience. It made the experience that much greater. What was also a nice touch is that after the Q and A, the theater allows you to speak to the director. Other events I have been to in the past prohibit any interaction with directors or entertainers. The vibe of the theater allows you to enjoy the event up-close and personal. They truly take the experience of the patron to heart and value that relationship. While there are still some cultural venues in our city we actually need more like this one. When the arts dies in this city, its unique spirit will leave also. Think Globally. Support Locally.

In it's many incarnations throughout the city be it the Sunken Gardens Theatre, SA Botanical…read moreGardens and now at the Arneson Theatre "Shakespeare( insert location)" is still relevant. Put on by the Children's Magik Theatre in recent years it is a perfect event for fans as well as an introduction to his timeless works. Although this event is Free, at the Arneson Theatre entrance donations are encouraged which helps to fund their various programs. This season a theater troupe from Arkansas did an excellent rendition of "The Taming of the Shrew." The set design, costumes, sound system and the Riverwalk as a backdrop enhanced the night's performance. Seating is amphitheater style and it is on a first come, first serve basis. I suggest you get there early, by showtime all the good spaces are usually taken. The only thing missing for me, at least in terms of overall experience were the arts vendors and staff in character; which in the past tied everything together. Still I would recommend it to couples, students, families or anyone who wants to experience Shakespeare's plays in an outdoor venue. Shakespeare on the River is another great event that utilizes the historical Arneson Theatre. It is a family friendly event free and open to the public. Who knew that plays created in the 15th Century would still be relevant in San Antonio in 2017? ps. The Arkansas troupe played a cover of "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga before the show even started. It seems like a song appropriate for "The Taming of the Shrew."

This is one of my personal favorite events of the year... and it's FREE! Shakespeare on the River…read morestarted 11 years ago (I believe) and is brought to the La Villita Arneson River Theater by the only professional Children's theater in South Texas, Magik Theater. It's a superfun event that in the past entailed Shakespeare performances in the setting of a small-scale Renaissance fair including professional theater acts that frequent the Texas Renaissance and Sherwood Forest Fairs. This year, however, it appears strictly centered around bringing a professional Shakespearean theater company, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, to San Antonio to perform their own version of Shakespeare classics. Last night's performance of "Taming of the Shrew" was one of the best performances I had ever seen and it did not disappoint! The actors were hilarious, the Commedia dell'arte was spot on and perfectly timed, and scattered bits of pop culture really brought this performance into this century. Staying true to the story, but with a few funny twists, this troop is really worth seeing. This event runs Thursday through Saturday this year and is completely worth going to see. A $5 suggested donation towards the Magik Children's Theater will help provide a space for future performers ages 0-17 to learn and grow their own acting craft as well as continuing to allow the Magik Theater to provide fun events and child-focused theater for years to come.

This is such a cool spot to catch live music!!!…read more We stumbled across this place as we were walking the San Antonio RiverWalk & the 1st thing you notice is the very cool outdoor seating with grass patches to serve as cushion for you to sit on. Another cool feature about this location is that the band is setup across the water. Oh & it's FREE :)..just find you an open spot & relax! This theater totally adds to the charm of the San Antonio RiverWalk & I'm glad we stumbled across this gem! -Rebecca out

I was here yesterday attending a film premier. It was such a perfect night. You do sit in a bench…read morelike grass seat. If your lucky, no one will sit behind you and you can lean back. I came here with my sister and we had some delicious food from Mamajays found truck, and enjoyed a nice alcoholic beverage. Of course weather will vary, so keep that in mind.

I love taking hula and tahitian classes by Kumu Napua and Kumu Kalani. It's a great way to get into…read moreshape and stay active. The age range for the class is from kids to women in their 30s. But in reality just about anyone can learn the dances and techniques in this dance academy. They hold classes at the FLEX STUDIO off of 281 & 1604. The best way to contact the owners/Kumus are by calling the phone number. The classes are welcoming, they treat you like family and accommodate each individuals needs and skill level on a case by case basis. (now if I can do hula and even dance some tahitian then everyone has a chance!) First classes are free so people can see what they're getting into. They also perform for personal events like weddings, graduations etc and that can be booked through their gigmasters website:http://www.gigmasters.com/Hula-Dancer/Desert-Polynesia/

Beautiful performances by a great bunch of people. The entertainment quality is definitely there…read more.. Hire them for your next gig, you won't be disappointed.

Another GREAT performance from #PASA! Cast was over the top! If you like theatre and honest, good,…read morenatural talent and don't want to hastle with Majestic Theatre prices and parking check out PASA!

I love PASA! Paul Tinder and Vaughn Taylor are entertainment industry veterans who've brought their…read moretalents from NY and LA to SA. They are excellent teachers, but also know how to put on a great show as well! PASA's musical productions are fantastic...great music, costumes and sets in shows that really showcase amazing local and regional talent.