Community partner's support for Bayou Theater enables program expansion
April 27, 2018 | UHCL Staff
University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Bayou Theater takes its role as Clear Lake’s premier
destination for the arts very seriously. Opus Ocean Grille owner Charlie Felts is
equally as serious about his love for live entertainment. After just one visit to
the Bayou Theater last year, the Clear Lake Shores restaurant owner and his wife,
Tricia Shook, became sponsors for the theater’s 2017-18 season. Felts decided to continue
demonstrating his love of bringing people together to share culture and celebrate
the human spirit by renewing his sponsorship for next season, enabling the number
of scheduled performances for the 2018-19 season to rise from 10 to 17.
“When I went to a performance last year, I looked around and recognized a lot of people
who go to my restaurant were in the audience,” Felts said. “I loved the concert and
I saw tremendous potential in the theater. The audience was my exact demographic.
I thought that the Bayou Theater and I were a great match-up, and that’s why I decided
to continue offering my support for next year’s season.”
Felts said that for him, sponsoring the Bayou Theater’s season is about offering people
the opportunity to have access to great arts programs without having to drive into
Houston. “We have been lacking in theater and arts options on this side of town, but
the Bayou Theater offers what I call the complete package,” Felts said. “The more
we can give, the better it is for the community. That’s what the Bayou Theater offers.
This is what people drive to Houston for, but I think it’s important to keep the cultural
arts in our neighborhood as well, and I want to make sure that happens.”
Felts said he saw tremendous potential in the Bayou Theater. “And the theater’s upcoming
plans for renovation will make for an even better guest experience and bring more
people to the theater. I believe that with more of the shows we’ve been having, the
Bayou Theater will become one of the biggest hits this side of town.”
As the Bayou Theater expands its programming, its “Take Your Seat” campaign is targeting
the revitalization in the theater’s seating and entrance area to benefit guests and
patrons, allowing for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Felts added that a great local cultural arts program enriches the community and just
plain makes him happy. “This is what I call enriching entertainment,” he said.
“Charlie Felts and Opus Ocean Grille’s generosity has legitimized the Bayou Theater’s
transformation and helps convince other potential supporters that what we’re doing
here is real,” said Alex Malone, Bayou Theater’s managing director. “With his patronage,
the performances we’ll be having next season will be the highlight on our community’s
cultural events calendar.”
For more information about UHCL’s Bayou Theater and this season’s remaining events,
visit www.uhcl.edu/bayou-theater.
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