For me, the Arts always have a communal aspect to them. An actor on a stage does not a show make. The audience must be there, and the more the merrier. Our goal here at the Waco Performing Arts Company in the coming year is to give everyone in Waco more of a reason to come to the theatre together and to come more often.

Starting June 12th, we will be showing films here every Friday. During the summer it will be family and children’s films, then in the fall we will program Classics, Foreign films, Indie films and the like. That is in addition to our robust theatrical lineup that will feature Broadway shows, Irish music and dance, Chinese acrobats, music, comedy, and American classics as well.

Family is taking a more prominent role in what we offer here at the Hippodrome. This next season we will feature four Family shows, all on Friday nights so that you don’t have to worry about school the next day for the kids. Taking your kids to the theatre while they are young is the surest way to guarantee that they will grow up to be adults who incorporate the Arts into their lives. And did I mention the low price? How about $5 for kids and $10 for adults? With prices like that, you will be able to afford some pie with that show. Speaking of which...

We will also be featuring some serious upgrades to our concessions offerings. You will have to see it to believe it, but the theatre-going experience is getting a serious upgrade in the weeks to come. How does a cup of coffee and a warm slice of freshly-made pie sound to go with your Broadway musical? Or how about a cold beer while watching The Godfather? Sounds pretty good to me, too.

Renovations are already underway. Ladies, that will soon include expanding the women’s restrooms! It also means that our 95 year-old historic theatre will continue to be unique among Waco landmarks. It is rare for such an historic facility to have maintained the same function throughout its existence. We want to make sure the Hippodrome is here for our grandkids to enjoy just as much as we do.

So come check us out at the Hippodrome Theatre or online at www.wacoperformingarts.org. You will find a lineup of all our upcoming shows and ways to get tickets to everything. See you at the shows!