Spacious, beautiful and convenient, the newly renovated Lila Cockrell Theatre is the perfect venue to stage your next general session, presentation, performing arts event or concert.

The theater, part of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on the River Walk, opened in 1968 for the World’s Fair. It was originally designed for traditional performances such as ballet, symphony and drama. But a $26 million modernization has transformed the space into a flexible, state-of-the-art venue for multimedia presentations, lectures and general sessions.

“From the ground up, it’s just a complete redo,” said Mike Sawaya, San Antonio's Director of Convention Sports and Entertainment Facilities. “The end product that we have today gives a competitive advantage.”

Multiple Options Save Time and Money

Unlike a traditional ballroom, the Lila Cockrell Theatre provides plush, spacious, fixed seating and a built-in stage, providing you a cost-saving alternative to reduce set-up time.
 
Notable features of the newly-renovated Lila include: 

• More than 2,300 luxurious, comfortable seats on three levels
• Concession stands on each level
• A convenient, accessible area for disabled guests and their companions
• A spacious, elegant lobby equipped with a box office and ticket drops
• One of the largest stages in the city: 113-by-60-foot, with a 55-by-30-foot proscenium

More Meeting Spaces Added at River Level

Located on the theater’s lower level, adjacent to the River Walk, are two all-new meeting rooms ideally suited for receptions, seminars and other conference functions: 

• The 4,300-square-foot Mayor Cockrell Room seats 300 and opens onto the Theatre River Patio
• The 2,500-square-foot Juan O’ Gorman Room accommodates 170

Also at river level is the spacious Green Room, eight dressing rooms, a laundry and audio-visual support.

Comfort and Style Pamper Attendees

Wide rows and posh seating create a comfortable and enjoyable setting. Contemporary crystal chandeliers, capable of changing colors for various events, light the grand entryway. Interior finishes designed in rich red and gold, mosaic tile inlays, embedded light fixtures incorporating the city’s quatrefoil logo, and artwork by local talent Anson Seele make the theater unique and memorable.

At river level, the foyers feature artifacts from Mayor Lila Cockrell’s storied political career, and an eye-level display of world-renowned muralist Juan O’Gorman’s mural, “The Confluence of Cultures,” located on the exterior of the theater.

“It’s like you’re in a bright, new shiny theater. It’s just awesome,” Sawaya said.

Modern Stage Showcases Presentations

The audio, video, lighting, curtains, stage rigging and mechanical systems are all new, which puts the latest technologies at your fingertips to present multimedia presentations, host large sessions or, of course, stage a concert. Two 60-by-120-foot screens flank the stage to offer additional impressive production options.

“The sound is excellent,” Sawaya said.

If you want to expand the 60-foot-deep stage, you can extend a platform over the orchestra pit, which is 8 feet deep. The platform can also be placed 4-1/2 feet below the stage or removed to expose the pit.

You’ll Find Unmatched Convenience

Located on the River Walk, in the convention center and adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Lila Cockrell Theatre is surrounded by thousands of hotel rooms just a short walk away. The Alamo and other historic attractions, restaurants, museums and shops line the River Walk and nearby streets.

The airport is only eight miles away and downtown has ample parking.