Be it through her words, her artwork or her many contributions to the local arts scene in Corpus Christi, Cheryl Votzmeyer Rios is a storyteller through and through. But more than anything, when she tells the story of the historic Ritz Theatre—either the many stories held within its walls or those she knows are yet to be written—she beams with a special sparkle in her eyes.
A significant piece of Corpus Christi’s history, The Ritz has lived various lives since it was built in 1929. It was the first talking movie theatre in the area and later provided a stage for musical acts such as Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley before closing its doors in 1989. In the early 2000s, restoration conversations began to take shape thanks to Monica Sawyer, the president of the nonprofit behind the theatre’s rehabilitation, Corpus Christi Positive Action Toward Cultural Heritage (CCPATCH). However, various hurdles held progress up, and it wasn’t until the creation of an executive director role two years ago that the restoration efforts saw a reenergized spirit.
Votzmeyer Rios stepped into that role in November 2022. When the job posting came her way, she remembered thinking, “I don’t know a lick about rehabilitating historic buildings, but I do know how to build a team. I know how to bring the right people to the table and ensure we work toward a common goal and vision.”
And that is exactly what she did. Passion and confidence penetrate everything Votzmeyer Rios sets her mind to—traits she traces back to the women in her family, especially her grandmother—so there’s no underestimating what she’ll achieve. She’s a troubleshooter by nature and her ability to follow through on promises and exceed all expectations is beyond admirable. She is a chameleon in the sense that adaptability is a strong suit.
In the executive director role, she is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the theatre’s operations, finances, planning, promotion and fundraising for the restoration. As the public face and corporate spokesperson, her ultimate objective is to usher The Ritz into its newest chapter.
“This theatre was built almost 100 years ago and it’s going to be restored and reopened to serve the community again,” she said. “I’ll be gone one day, my team will be gone one day, but that building will be open and operating. What better way to give back to this community than to bring joy and excitement back to this beautiful gathering space? It’s really the people’s theatre.”
Though her current feat is reviving one of the city’s most cherished landmarks, Votzmeyer Rios has always been intertwined with the local arts scene. From starting a decorative painting business and later a creative consultant firm to serving as K Space Contemporary’s Education Director for six years—when she spearheaded many of its current arts education programs, one of which is responsible for over 20 public murals—she’s been heavily involved in community arts since moving here in 1996. Her involvement with Texas Women for the Arts and the Downtown Management District’s art-forward initiatives are just the cherry on top.
When asked why it’s important to be involved in the community this way, her answer falls perfectly in line with why restoring The Ritz feels so integral to our city’s story. “Art tells a story—our story, our history—and it’s what makes our world such a beautiful place to live in.”
Just shy of her second anniversary with the theatre, with the help of a phenomenal board, the checks on the revitalization to-do list are impressive. In 2022, a $230,000 grant from the National Parks Service and Texas Historical Commission was secured for exterior repairs. In 2023, OTJ Architects began initial designs. The creation of a founding donors circle, Friends of the Ritz, aided in outreach and fundraising efforts and she added a Capital Campaign Manager to the team.
In November of last year, Stoddard General Contractors began exterior work and the theatre obtained a matching grant for the $230,000 it received in 2022 through the city’s Type B Incentive Fund. This year’s milestones include The Ritz Theatre’s official listing on the National Register of Historic Places, a completed feasibility study, a move to a new administrative office, hiring a grant writer and local marketing firm Bucket Works, receiving reimbursement from the THC grant and launching capital campaign planning in which over one million dollars will be raised—all under Votzmeyer Rios’ leadership.
“Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t an easy thing to do,” she said. “I literally give myself a pep talk in the mirror every morning.” And when she is met with naysayers, she extends grace, while firmly believing in the work she and her team are doing. “I know this is a big project, but keep following us, watch what work gets done, and let me know when you’re ready to jump on board.”
Her vision for the theatre’s future includes a consistently packed house, various performing arts programming and arts education in areas such as set, costume and technical stage design, all under one historic roof … a roof Votzmeyer Rios can see from her living room window every day.
“It’s an absolutely necessary piece of downtown,” she said as she gazed toward the historic structure. “Restoring this building means preserving a piece of our history. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe that I’m going to help make that happen, and it wasn’t luck that got me here–it’s been a lot of hard work and heartache and trial and error, but I am excited and proud to be a part of this legacy.”
And when it comes to legacy, Votzmeyer Rios’ will surely be defined by her unwavering determination to improve every space she enters; her ability to get things done and never take no for an answer; and her dedication to ensuring a piece of our city’s history is not forgotten. At the end of the day, all of her hard work is for the people in this community, and at the end of the restoration timeline, The Ritz Theatre, the people’s theatre, will open its doors once again.
