Arneson River Theatre

This stage is a well known landmark in San Antonio.  It is the stage for the Arneson River Theatre.  Thousands of plays and community events have been held here since its completion in 1940.  It is also a popular venue for weddings.  Each summer it is the host to Fiesta Noche Del Rio.  But where does the audience sit?

Answer:  On grassy steps across the river!  This allows unobstructed views of the stage and the river gives an acoustic boost to the performers.  It is a part of the La Villita Historic Arts Village (watch for a future post on this).

The Arneson River Theatre was built between 1938 and 1940 with funds from the New Deal.  It was built as a Works Progress Administration project.  I had read this somewhere, but wasn't sure until today.  As I walked through the arched gateway in the above picture there was the simple plaque.

In this picture the stage of the theatre is in the right foreground, seating is on the left.  The bridge is one of several along the Riverwalk that allow pedestrians to cross the river.  This bridge is known as "Rosita's Bridge" named after Rosita Fernandez, a popular local singer that performed frequently at the theatre until her retirement in 1982.