Houston may not be the first city that comes to mind for performing arts—but it should be!
Welcome to Houston, Texas—one of the most diverse cultural hubs in the country. Home to a thriving performing arts scene, its world-renowned halls and hidden-gem stages attract millions of visitors every year. From Tony Award-winning theater companies to world-class symphonies to intimate cultural productions, Houston theaters offer something for everyone!
Favorite Local Theatres:
1. The Alley Theatre
Location
Downtown: 615 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
The Alley Theatre is one of America’s leading nonprofit theatres and a nationally recognized performing arts company. The theater produces up to 16 plays and nearly 500 performances each season, ranging from contemporary plays to re-invigorated classics.
2. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Location
Downtown: 800 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
The mission of the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is to expand Houston's reputation as a world-class cultural arts center by providing a premier performing arts facility, fostering accessibility to the performing arts, and promoting arts education. The center has a strong emphasis on musical theater and is a top destination for Broadway show tours in Houston.
3. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
Location
Downtown: 615 Louisiana St, Houston, TX 77002
Jones Hall for the Performing Arts is home to both the Houston Symphony and the Houston Society for the Performing Arts. More than 400,000 visitors attend some 250 exceptional orchestral and non-orchestral performances every year!
4. Miller Outdoor Theatre
Location
Hermann Park: 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
The Miller Outdoor Theatre is an open-air venue in the middle of Hermann Park and provides professional-level performances for the cultural enrichment of Houston—all free to the public! It’s also home to the Houston Symphony’s Summer Series, bringing world-class musical performances to a relaxed family-friendly setting.
5. The Wortham Center
Location
Downtown: 501 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
The Wortham Center is home to both the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. Since its opening in 1987, the Wortham Center has entertained more than 8 million people! Elegant and beautiful, this is an art facility like no other—it’s a masterful, creative playground for performing artists.
6. The George Theatre
Location
Uptown: 5420 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
The George Theatre, also known as the A.D. Players theater, is a respected Houston theatre company known for producing spiritually centered and thought-provoking plays, musicals, and educational programming.
7. The Ensemble Theatre
Location
Midtown: 3535 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
Founded in 1976, the Ensemble Theatre is one of the largest African American professional theatre companies in the entire country, dedicated to showcasing performances that reflect the African American experience and enrich the community.
8. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
Location
The Woodlands: 2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is an award-winning outdoor amphitheater located in The Woodlands and hosts a wide range of performances—from big-name concerts and touring acts to symphony productions and grassroots plays.
Houston’s performing arts theaters easily rival those of the more traditionally “art-centric” cities. From major institutions to community-focused companies, the variety of performances reflects the city’s diversity and creativity! Whether you're interested in Broadway productions, cultural storytelling, or free outdoor performances, Houston theaters offer something for everyone.
If you're looking for more of the best places Houston has to offer, check out our helpful city guide—download your copy FREE here.
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