SAN ANTONIO — The owner of the Woodlawn Theatre is looking ahead to the future after the nonprofit that occupied the space relocated to expand its theatre and educational program.
The historic building along Fredericksburg Road opened in 1945 and is the anchor of the Deco District of San Antonio. Its legendary history includes both good times and hard times. Most recently, the theatre space was occupied by a nonprofit theatre organization that put on Broadway-style musicals and offered educational programs for theatre students.
Sherry Wehner is the current owner of the historic building that houses Woodlawn Theatre as well as several other businesses.
"The theater is a historic theater, but the whole strip center is part of the Woodlawn Theatre Center," Wehner said. "We have lots of other active organizations going on."
Those include the Deco Ballroom, an event space that hosts concerts, comedy shows, weddings, quinceaneras, birthday parties and more. The center also includes Jacked-In VR, an immersive, full-body virtual reality experience. You can also find the Starlighter, Black Potion, and Dulce Suenos. One of the longest-running tenants is Hello, Tallulah, an upscale vintage clothing store.
When Wehner spoke with KENS 5 in March, it had only been a few weeks since the popular nonprofit theatre organization, Woodlawn Theatre, LLC, relocated. It rebranded as the Wonder Theatre and is now settling in at its new home at the Wonderland of the Americas, just down the road along Fredericksburg. Wehner co-founded the organization and stays involved as a founding board member. She recognized the need for its programs to grow and supported the move.
"I miss the nonprofit being in the [Woodlawn] space, but I am excited for the opportunities that we have moving forward at the Wonderland Mall to expand and grow," Wehner said.
Back at the Woodlawn Theatre, Wehner worked for years developing the iconic, 450-seat main performance space and is hopeful for the possibilities for the future.
"We are still cleaning it up, lots of years of memories and props and costumes and all of that," said Wehner. "We are looking at organizations to come in and make that their new home. So it's open for rent. We are open to ideas. My heart is in theatre, but I love all the arts and there's lots of opportunities for any kind of live performance."
She said she feels a great responsibility in her stewardship of a place that holds so many memories for the community.
"My daughter grew up in that theatre, and so many children have grown up in that theatre," Wehner said. "It's a very special place, it means a lot to a lot of people. You just have to be there to understand."
With that personal connection and passion for performing arts, Wehner is keeping the historic building fresh, vibrant and moving forward.
"It's very fulfilling, it's one of those jobs that doesn't feel like you are working, right? If you love what you do, it does not feel like work and that is exactly what that building means to me."
