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Ritz Mission

We are the voice of the Ritz Theatre. With the help of our local community, we will repair, rehabilitate, and revive this historic site to its former glory. We hope to add to what the Ritz can do when it is fully restored. Having the Ritz revived means making more community opportunities. The Ritz will be the house for all kinds of entertainment, which we hope will become another thing to love about Corpus Christi.

You Can Help!

The success of the Ritz Theatre depends on the entire community. The Ritz Theatre, Inc. non profit organization has been organized to rehabilitate the Ritz to its original grandeur. Funds, donations, and volunteers will be needed at every step. The Ritz is looking for stories, photos, and all types of information to build an accurate picture of what the Ritz was like in its prime. 

Restoring the Ritz

The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life. – Oscar Wilde

The Ritz has so much to offer culturally. Dance, music, drama, film, the list goes on and on. Theatres can be a vital part of a downtown’s success. The Ritz can strengthen the cultural community. PATCH, (Positive Action Towards Cultural Heritage) the non-profit company heading up the restoration project, exists as a catalyst to bring the most talented people in a myriad of industries together to create a theatre that is worthy of the most talented entertainers. Recording and broadcasting capabilities will be installed to allow for recording live performances and national broadcasting events. The stage will be created to accommodate the specific demands of top-level ballet and performance professionals. Movie, sound and lighting equipment will match those of the best venues. The Ritz Theatre will be a major draw for local, national and international artists looking to perform in a new venue with amazing atmosphere. The year-round programming being developed by PATCH, in partnership with various groups in Corpus Christi, is exciting and will be a vital part of the success of the Ritz Theatre.

Downtown Corpus Christi

Two major new developments have been created adjacent to downtown, in the port area, now being called the SEA District (Sports, Entertainment and Arts). These venues are The American Bank Center Arena and Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks, Double A affiliate of the Houston Astros. It just so happens that the Ritz Theatre sits right smack in the middle of the new SEA district and downtown, connecting the two areas to serve the needs of our expanding and flourishing community. The connection between the new venues and downtown will boost business and hotel sales and encourage people to stay downtown for longer periods of time. The Ritz Theatre’s restoration and the reemergence of a cultural hub will serve an important turning point for the immediate downtown area and stimulate others into action. The development of dynamic programming and educational services will invigorate the community and inspire more and more people to frequent downtown, giving prospective business owners incentives to relocate or create new businesses in the area.

Ritz Revival Logo

Change. It has the power to uplift, to heal, to stimulate, surprise, open new doors, bring fresh experience and create excitement in life.  Certainly, it is worth the risk. —Leo Buscaglia

Built in 1929, the Ritz Theatre in Corpus Christi was one of the largest in Texas at the time of its construction. Opening day was three months after the stock market crash and the start of the great depression. The Ritz soldiered on, providing an escape for Texans into a world of imagination for years. Today, the Ritz stands crumbling, forgotten, one of the last great movie palaces yet to be restored, and one of the few standing historic buildings in Corpus Christi. By reviving the Ritz Theatre, we gain a new, dynamic venue to stimulate the economy, inspire and support the creative class and provide an anchor business downtown. The Ritz will be an icon for hope and change and rebirth. It’s something everyone can be a part of and say, “I helped make that happen”.

Donate To Restore the Ritz

It takes your support to revive this historic treasure.

Your donation will help us rehabilitate the Ritz to its original grandeur and bring this historic theatre back to downtown Corpus Christi.

The Future of the Ritz

Upon completion of the restoration, the Ritz Theatre will be operated as a performance and presentation facility with a variety of events including:

  1. Professional Performance – Vocal, instrumental and/or dance artists will enjoy performing in a facility with outstanding acoustics, stage, facilities and seating
  2. Broadcast Performance – Original music performances, broadcast to the public through an “Austin City Limits” type show.
  3. Cinema – The Ritz will show classic cinema and art film presented in the “movie palace” style. Vintage films, silent film festivals, current foreign, art films and documentaries will also be exhibited.
  4. Cultural Productions – Performances will include those of local groups such as ballet, choir, community theatre, dance, concerts and plays.
  5. Conventions, Meetings and Lectures – Corporations, churches and civic groups will be able to use the theatre. Lectures and other such events will be held including motivational, instructional or career training seminars. Hi-tech communication interfacing capabilities with other facilities throughout the country are planned.
  6. Private Events – The Ritz will be a one-of-a-kind rental space with amazing atmosphere available for private parties, benefits, weddings, quincineras, and much more.

Restoration Rendering • What Could Be

Ritz Restoration Rendering

The Ritz Theatre, built in 1929, once inspired a world of imagination and creativity to the Coastal Bend. Today it stands as one of the few historic buildings in downtown Corpus Christi. By coming together to restore the Ritz, our community will be able to enjoy year-round programming in a place that welcomes the arts and houses a piece of our history.

Restoration Status • The Ritz Needs You