Hometown actor returns as artistic director of Classic Theatre
Actor and director J. Robert “Jimmy” Moore, a San Antonio native who mostly has worked outside of his hometown, has been named executive and artistic director of Classic Theatre.
“It's always been a dream of mine to bring what I have learned working in other professional markets back here to San Antonio,” said Moore, 35.
He succeeds Kelly Hilliard Roush. She left the company in May to move to Minnesota with her family to pursue other opportunities.
Moore stepped into his new role Monday, almost exactly a month after the company announced procedural changes made following an investigation into concerns raised about previous leadership.
In an Aug. 24 Facebook post, a woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted when she was 16 by an actor employed by Classic Theatre. She said she later told the artistic director about the incident.
It is Express-news policy not to identify victims of sexual assault.
It is not known when the assault was alleged to have taken place, nor who the artistic director was at the time.
Following the investigation, the company created a guidebook that underscores Classic's commitment to a workplace without harassment, retaliation and discrimination. It also updates procedures on how to report concerns or grievances.
Moore said he supports the changes and aims to make sure that Classic is a place where
everyone feels safe and respected.
He also wants to make sure that the company reflects the city's diverse makeup onstage, backstage and in the audience. And he wants to build on its reputation for high-quality work.
“Overall, I want Classic to be a place where exciting and inspiring theatrical work is happening,” he said.
Another goal is to find a new home. Classic has been performing at the San Antonio Botanical Garden since last year. It left its intimate black box next to the Woodlawn Theatre because it was impossible to perform there safely during the pandemic.
A town hall in which people can hear from Moore and share their thoughts on the company is in the works.
Moore, who went to Marshall High School, earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas State University in San Marcos. He also studied with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
He has worked all over the country. He also came home to appear in a few Classic productions, including “Waiting for Godot” and “She Stoops to Conquer.”
He noted that his new job is a sign of progress in the city.
“I'm an openly gay, married Hispanic man, and there was a time when community leadership roles might not have been open to me,” he said. “I'm very proud of San Antonio and proud of the progress I've seen in my lifetime.”