Meet the Majestic Empire Foundation
A stage for talent.
A foundation for life.
We connect young people across San Antonio and South Texas with theatre education, mentorship, scholarships, and career pathways—helping them discover their voice and what comes next.
When you support MEF, you help turn a first opportunity into lasting confidence, connection, and possibility.
Meet the organization ↓See our 2026 impactThe organization behind the magic
Historic theatres.
Young futures.
The Majestic Empire Foundation is a San Antonio nonprofit that stewards historic theatres and delivers public performances, arts education, and career pathways connecting students and communities to the transformative power of live theatre.
Our work happens in classrooms, rehearsal studios, backstage spaces, and on professional stages. Students learn from working artists, build friendships across communities, and practice skills they can carry into college, work, and life.
Hear from our community · 2:28
Students, parents, and teaching artists share what access to theatre education makes possible.
What we do all year
More ways to find your place.
From a first class to a college scholarship, MEF creates opportunities for young people to learn, belong, and grow.
Arts education & mentorship
Classes, workshops, masterclasses, coaching, summer programs, and performance experiences connect students with professional teaching artists. Tuition-free opportunities help more young people access the training and encouragement they need.
The Joci Awards
Our regional education and scholarship program supports high school students and school theatre programs across South Texas. Professional feedback, free training, rehearsal, and performance culminate in a showcase at the Majestic Theatre and scholarship support for further education.
College & career pathways
Students explore the many people and skills behind live theatre—from lighting and sound to stage management, production, and arts media. Mentorship, hands-on learning, and apprentice experiences help them see possibilities onstage and behind the scenes.
Theatres & community
We steward historic theatre spaces and bring them to life through public performances, education, and community use. Our work at the Majestic, Empire, and Josephine connects the places San Antonio treasures with the people who will shape its future.
2026 Joci Awards · The year in opportunity
Local support. Regional impact.
One part of MEF’s year-round work—and a powerful example of what our community makes possible.
Participation was free for every student and school.
Approximately 65% of individual auditioners attended Title I schools or came from underserved communities. Two students represented South Texas at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards in New York City, with Ricardo Martinez advancing as a national semifinalist.
Source: MEF’s finalized 2026 Joci Awards report. The $167,000 total includes $155,000 in individual student awards and $12,000 in school awards. These figures describe the Joci program, rather than the combined reach of every MEF program.
In their own words
The impact students carry with them.
“This program became a family to me where I felt confident to spread my passion with other and make forever friends.”
— Joci participant
2026 student survey
“Being chosen as the Student Photographer gave me an incredible sense of feeling seen”
— Student photographer
Excerpt, 2026 student survey
“You learn a lot of professional etiquette and you learn how to communicate with others and express opinions with people that will lift you up”
— Joci participant
Excerpt, 2026 student survey
Quotes are drawn from participant feedback; excerpts retain the students’ own words.
Learning in action
See what opportunity looks like.
Behind the curtain
Watch students learn technical theatre, production, and backstage collaboration with professional mentors. 2:39
From rehearsal to performance
A glimpse of the 2026 Mean Girls Summer Conservatory, where instruction, preparation, and ensemble work come together. 0:44
The 2026 Joci Awards
Experience the culminating showcase at the historic Majestic Theatre. This is the full awards production; the short films above offer a quick introduction to the learning behind it.
Why it matters
Skills for the stage.
Strength for whatever comes next.
Students do not have to become professional performers for theatre education to change their lives. Every rehearsal asks them to listen, prepare, take a risk, respond to feedback, and contribute to a shared goal.
Your generosity supports the teaching, mentorship, scholarship opportunities, and welcoming spaces that help make that growth possible.
Help write the next chapter
Give a young person
a place to begin.
Join us in expanding access to theatre education, scholarships, mentorship, and career pathways across San Antonio and South Texas.
Make a year-end giftSupport Once Upon a Stage