St. Philip’s College Hosts H-E-B Black Box Theater Groundbreaking

St. Philip’s College (SPC) hosted a successful groundbreaking on Thursday, March 28, marking a significant milestone with the H-E-B Black Box Theater. This theater will create a new wing of the Watson Fine Center, which is home to the Fine Arts and Kinesiology Department.

Construction of the H-E-B Black Box Theater has been made possible with the generous support of H-E-B. The company made a substantial $1 million donation towards the project. Additionally, funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Title III program has played a vital role in making this construction project possible.

“We are longstanding supporters of education and arts initiatives across the state, and we’re proud to continue our support of St. Philip’s and its 126-year history,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President Public Affairs, Diversity, and Environmental Affairs. “We believe in the profound impact education has on our lives, and we’re committed to helping our partners in education provide opportunities that drive creativity and innovation.”

The impact of the H-E-B Black Box Theater extends beyond its physical dimensions of 20,000 square feet and a full capacity of 200 seats. With the potential to serve over 1,000 SPC students, it will be a hub for artistic learning and innovation. Moreover, it will provide an invaluable platform for the community to engage with the arts and foster a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity.

St. Philip’s College President, Dr. Adena Williams Loston, expressed enthusiasm at the groundbreaking event by saying, “This state-of-the-art facility will enhance our teaching and learning spaces and puts our students ahead of the curve when it comes to learning performance standards with acting, dance, music, and set design. The groundbreaking of this new theater is another step towards breaking down barriers in education for St. Philip’s College students, barriers in opportunities for the arts industry, and barriers toward providing increased access to the arts on the east side of San Antonio.”