About the Shuler

About the Shuler

The historic Shuler Theater in downtown Raton, New Mexico, is a state landmark and remains the center for performing arts in northeastern New Mexico.

The theater is owned and maintained by the City of Raton, New Mexico, and may be reserved for functions or performances by contacting the Shuler offices at 575-445-4746.

Bill Fegan

Bill Fegan winner of the 2007 New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, died in January of 2021 at the age of 93 after spending a lifetime as producer, actor, director, promoter, booking agent and maintaining an office in the Shuler for close to 50 years and was a contributor in “the business” for over 70 years

During his career, Bill produced, directed or acted in countless professional and amateur productions including national touring companies of Murder Among Friends starring Lana Turner and Blues in the Night starring Della Reese, Christmas Carol and dozens of productions for children’s theater. Bill organized a touring theater company, The Kaleidoscope Players and in 1963, the Kaleidoscopes presented a performance of Androcles and the Lion in the Shuler Theater in Raton. It was so successful that they returned the next summer for four shows and then in 1965 the company moved to Raton to help manage the Shuler and to do a summer repertory theater. Kaleidoscope would go on to be named the Official State Theater of NM by Governor Dave Cargo, and also win the Tajiri award for Outstanding Theater Company in the Rocky Mountain region and would tour the entire US and Canada.

Bill has distinguished himself in the profession by being named Executive Director of the National Humanities Series for the Woodrow Wilson Foundation. Bill received the prestigious New Mexico Governors Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2007; and the Raton Treasure Award in 2001 as given by the Raton Arts Council.  He was a board member of the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities, received the Markley Award and the Founders Award from the National Association of Campus Activities, the President’s Award by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, and the highest of honors from the Western Arts Association, Midwest Arts Association and the Performing Arts Exchange.

During his career, he was also a booking agent who represented and promoted hundreds of world-class talented people including the likes of Don Shirley, Riders in the Sky, Jimmy Driftwood and The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats. Working for talent/booking agencies including the Alkahest Agency, Community Concerts and Allied Concerts, he also established his own agency, Bill Fegan Attractions, which he operated out of Dallas and then in 1987 was lured back to Raton at the invitation of the City and the Chamber of Commerce to manage both his agency and the Shuler Theater.

He inspired and taught both children and adults alike and through his love, passion and respect for all arts, he helped establish the Raton Arts Council, Raton Choral Society, Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts, and the Shuler Restoration.  The recipients of his knowledge, talent and enthusiasm have gone on to make their own contributions to this world, and as a result of his lifetime of work, his legacy will live on, but his presence will be sorely missed.

The Raton Arts & Humanities Council, Inc. schedules its performing arts season in the Shuler Theater. Individual performances are listed on the Shuler Theater calendar. Assigned seat tickets are available through the office of the Raton Arts & Humanities Council, Inc. in the Old Pass Gallery at 145 S. 1st St, Raton. Be sure to ask about season tickets, or partial-season tickets that are available. The phone number there is (575) 445-2052 or toll-free (877) 278-2489. You can email to RatonArts@BacaValley.com. To buy tickets for individual performances online,click here.