The New Braunfels EDC giving the Brauntex Theatre a check for $1.2 million.
The final upgrades aren't completed yet, but guests in New Braunfels are already experiencing the perks of its renovated theater. The City of New Braunfels and the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation gave a $1.2 million check for the renovation of the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre on Tuesday evening, June 28.
"As a person who was born and raised here, I spent many Saturdays right here in this building, watching cartoons running up and down the streets with my bicycle and my friends. And it would just be a horrendous shame if we did not keep this as one of the jewels in our crown," said Kathy Meurin, chair of the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation. "This is really great for us in New Braunfels."
A model of the theatre in the lobby.
Meurin said the Brauntex Theatre, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, was a hub of entertainment and cultural activities until it closed in 1998. The theatre reopened in April 2000 with help from the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Association. It has a National Register of Historic Places designation.
During the presentation, they showed a video that showed off the capabilities that the theater didn't have before the completed renovations. A booming sound system played during the video and the new lighting shined on stage.
The $1.2 million will help with phase four of the renovation project and will provide video, lighting, stage equipment, a video display wall, LED lighting, new public announcement system, and sound equipment upgrades. Completed phases involved expanding the lobby, box office, backstage areas, parking lot, and installing a new roof and ceiling, according to a release.
The project began in August 2020. Campaign Coordinator Delia Saucedo-Milam said they are finishing funding on the 20-by-20-foot LED video wall, which costs $400,000. She added that ideally the renovation will be completed by December 2023.
Check out the Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre's 2022-23 season here.
Gabriel Romero is the Hill Country reporter for MySA.com. He is a California transplant with a healthy curiosity of the Lone Star State.