Announcing Our Future Managing Director 24 Oct 2023 6:31 AM (2 years ago)
PERFORMING ARTS INNOVATOR APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE
October 24, 2023 (Houston, TX) …The Miller Theatre Advisory Board under the leadership of Chairman Romulo Tim Cisneros announced the appointment of Claudia de Vasco as Managing Director. A native Houstonian, de Vasco is an executive level arts innovator and leader, with a history as a performer, director, and producer. She will assume her role at MTAB on January 1, 2024, succeeding Cissy Segall Davis, Miller’s Managing Director for nearly 15 years. Ms. de Vasco will oversee the day-to-day operations at MTAB which includes overseeing a grants program for Houston performing arts and community organizations. She, in collaboration with the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, will program a season of more than 100 artistically and culturally diverse performances in Hermann Park, all presented free of charge to the public. Segall Davis will continue to support MTAB as a part-time fundraiser for the $12.5 million Capital Campaign to raise the necessary funds to make renovations and improvements to the outdoor theatre.
A graduate of the Kinder School for the Performing and Visual Arts (2001), de Vasco received her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program, from the University of
Minnesota, Summa Cum Laude, (2005). In Los Angeles she built a career on-stage and off, as well as in civic leadership. Highlights of her professional experience include serving as: Managing Director of Emerging Arts Leaders/Los Angeles (EAL/LA); Artistic Producing Director, Chalk Repertory Theater; Head of Cultural Integrity, BrickHouse Talent Agency; and both television and film roles and credits. Most recently she was the Executive and Artistic Director of The Public Theater of San Antonio, the longest running theatre company in Texas.
Claudia de Vasco appointed to Miller Outdoor Theatre Advisory Board as Managing Director.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Claudia de Vasco back to Houston,” remarked Miller Theatre Advisory Board Chair Romulo Tim Cisneros. “This is a critical role ensuring that the future of Houston’s most diverse performing arts stage remains viable for decades to come. The entire board is looking forward to working with Claudia to steward Miller forward as Cissy Segall Davis did for so many years,” added Cisneros.
Select highlights of de Vasco’s professional associations include: The Kilroys, a group organized to promote gender parity in theater; NAMT Festival of New Musicals selection committee; and a current fellow of the DeVos Foundation Global Arts Management Fellowship for Executive Leaders. She was recognized by Business Insider, as one of the Top 25 Influential People in San Antonio, and Top 100 in Texas in 2022; she also received a Many Voices Fellowship, 2005-2006, from The Playwrights Center, Jerome Foundation.
“It’s an honor to be returning to my hometown and stepping into the role of Managing Director for Miller Theatre Advisory Board,” said Claudia de Vasco. “A stage on which I’ve performed and enjoyed as a patron. Miller Outdoor Theatre is unique with its full calendar of live music, opera, ballet, theatre, contemporary dance and much more, all presented free of charge for everyone to enjoy, and I hope that Houstonians are as proud of this institution as I am. There is not another theatre in the U.S. that presents the caliber and range of diverse performances that Miller does free to the public. That is extraordinary and I’m thrilled to be stepping into this incredible role, as improving access to the arts has been at the center of my work as an arts leader. I look forward to spending the next two months alongside Cissy as we get ready for the next decade of performances and improvements to the Miller Outdoor Theatre,” remarked de Vasco.
Miller Outdoor Theatre is open until November 11 when it concludes with a world premiere collaboration between BELLA GAIA and William Close & The Earth Harp Collective as well as a final Celebrate Miller 100 Event! Every performance at Miller Outdoor Theatre is free of charge. For the complete calendar visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.
About:
Since 1923, Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park has been one of Houston’s most beloved cultural treasures, a gathering place for the community and the site of thousands of memorable free performances. This is the largest “always free” program of its kind in the country. Miller Outdoor Theatre is an outdoor theatre for the performing arts set on 7.5 acres in Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. For 100 years Miller has provided Houstonians and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy professional entertainment in a diverse array of genres including music, dance, theatre, film, and more. Performances are always family friendly. Guests can sit in covered seating or on the grassy hillside.
Miller Outdoor Theatre is funded in part by the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.
Our 100th Anniversary Season Opening Celebration! 3 May 2023 1:17 PM (2 years ago)
Thank you to everyone who came out! What a fantastic time it was!! Click here to see video of all the fun!
100th Anniversary Special on ABC 13 16 Mar 2023 1:19 PM (2 years ago)
If you missed the FABULOUS special ABC 13 Houston did on Miller, you can still catch it via stream by clicking here!
Cissy Segall Davis Interview with The Group Travel Voice 15 Apr 2021 7:20 AM (4 years ago)
Managing Director Cissy Segall Davis spoke with Terry Mansfield from The Group Travel Voice! What a great interview with such great news about our re-opening!
Coming Soon 12 Mar 2021 7:01 AM (4 years ago)
We’re not open yet, but we’re working on it!
We know you are all ready to get your Miller fix, and so are we! However, we need a little more time to get everything ready for you so that we can have the best and safest reopening ever!
When we can open, we will have all necessary required protocols in place to meet the guidelines that the city and state mandate, so expect a few changes. No matter, Miller will still be the same extraordinary experience.
This is done out of an abundance of caution and with the health a safety of the fans, attendees, and city in mind.
We will announce all things on our social media and website, so stay tuned for fantastic future updates!
Stay safe, stay healthy, and we can’t wait to meet you on the Hill again!!
If you would like to donate to Miller, please click here.
HOUSTON CLEAN 10 Aug 2020 6:07 AM (5 years ago)
Houston’s Hospitality Community Launches ‘HOUSTON CLEAN’
Community-Wide Standards & Protocols Establish Commitment to
Health & Safety
HOUSTON (Aug. 6, 2020) – The Houston Venues & Events Task Force along with the hospitality, tourism and transportation industries are committed to the health and safety of residents and visitors. As the area prepares to safely reopen, industry partners have joined together to form Houston Clean, a campaign aimed to help guests easily identify safety measures in place to protect both patrons and associates.
Houston Clean (www.HoustonClean.com) unifies the individual efforts of businesses to present consistent operating guidelines to visitors. These guidelines serve as a baseline commitment to practice recommended health safety protocols in alignment with orders issued by federal, state and local officials, as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
“The Houston Clean initiative marks a significant step in addressing safety concerns related to the COVID-19 crisis. The community-wide effort from our greater hospitality industry partners is a long-term commitment not to ‘return to business as usual’, but instead to bring forth a more resilient community,” Mayor Sylvester Turner.
“We are excited to welcome fans back into our various venues and events when it’s safe to do so and visitors back to Houston. We want them to feel confident that our hospitality partners have taken every precaution to ensure a safe and healthy stay,” David Mincberg, Houston First Chair. “This pledge unites our community around a clear benchmark for health safety standards, which is our first priority.”
Each participating business and event has developed or is currently developing its individual reopening plans utilizing Houston Clean guidelines as a baseline. The Houston Clean logo can be found on all participating partner websites, and can also be found on business listings on VisitHouston.com. If a business is identified with the Houston Clean logo, it means the business has taken the pledge, which includes a commitment to the safety and well-being of their visitors, workforce, and community.
The various industry task forces are outlined below.
Houston Clean, Venues & Events Task Force includes:
Venues:
• Alley Theatre
• BBVA Stadium
• George R. Brown Convention Center
• Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
• Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
• Miller Outdoor Theatre
• Minute Maid Park
• NRG Park
• Toyota Center
• Wortham Theater Center
Sports:
• Houston Astros
• Houston Dynamo & Dash
• Houston Rockets
• Houston Texans
Events:
• Comicpalooza
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
• Houston Marathon Committee
• Mayor’s Office of Special Events
Management:
• Downtown District
• Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Harris County-Houston Sports Authority
• Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation
• Houston First Corporation
Houston Clean Hotels Task Force was developed in association with the Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston.
Houston Clean Theaters Task Force was developed in association with the Theater District Houston.
Houston Clean Museums Task Force was developed in association with the Houston Museum District.
Houston Clean Airports Task Force is now fully integrated within the Airport System’s Fly Safe program.
The various task forces will continue to monitor changes from federal, state, and local authorities, industry guidance as well as the effectiveness of these guidelines and provide updates as needed.
Covid-19 Update and Info on Reopening 11 Jul 2020 10:31 AM (5 years ago)
In accordance with the CDC’s and the County’s most recent guidelines, the Miller Theatre Advisory Board has made the difficult decision to cancel all performances for 2020.
We are working on bringing you fantastic livestreams availalbe across our social media platforms and here on our website. These will be filmed on a closed set here at the Theatre and from other great locations and studios from our partnering organizations.
When we can open, we will have all necessary required protocols in place to meet the guidelines that the city and state mandate.
This is done out of an abundance of caution and with the health a safety of the fans, attendees, and city in mind.
These decisions have not been easy and we are so grateful for your support during these difficult times.
We urge everyone to take precautions during the difficult times.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and we can’t wait to meet you on the Hill again!!
If you would like to donate to Miller, please click here.
Covid-19 Update and Info on Reopening 29 May 2020 10:01 AM (5 years ago)
In accordance with the CDC’s most recent guidelines, the Miller Theatre Advisory Board has made the difficult decision to cancel all performances through the end of July 2020.
We are working with our partners and grantees to reschedule as many performances as we can, with the hopes that we are allowed to reopen in August. All rescheduling is taking into consideration that we need to give our partnering organizations time to regroup, rehearse, and prepare to bring you the same spectacular performances Miller is known for.
We will have all necessary required protocols in place to meet the guidelines that the city and state mandate.
This is done out of an abundance of caution and with the health a safety of the fans, attendees, and city in mind.
These decisions have not been easy and we are so grateful for your support during these difficult times. We can’t wait to meet you on the Hill again!!
If you would like to donate to Miller, please click here.
Smiles From Miller With American Festival For The Arts 2 Apr 2020 11:34 AM (5 years ago)
Today’s Smiles From Miller is brought to us from American Festival For The Arts , and excellent local organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of young people through music. Every year their talented students perform in their Summer Music Festival here on the Miller Outdoor Theatre stage. This video is from their 2019 performance of Dmitry Kabalevsky’s Colas Breugnon Overture. Enjoy!!
Smiles From Miller With Express Children’s Theatre 30 Mar 2020 3:30 PM (5 years ago)
In this time of uncertainty and worry we know you all need something to brighten your days. As we work to postpone and reschedule as many shows as we can until we can resume our 2020 season, we thought we would offer up just a few of the great performances from past seasons.
Today’s smile is especially for the kids! “My BFF The Dragon” was performed on the Miller Stage in 2015 by the incredible Express Children’s Theatre. So, sit the kids down, sit back, and enjoy the show!!