Austin Playhouse at Penn Field
3601 S. Congress Avenue 512-476-0084 www.austinplayhouse.comThe Austin Playhouse supplies Greater Austin with a plethora of theatrical entertainment with a mixture of genres including comedy drama and a variety of local acts. The 2012/2013 season presents such productions as “Man of LaMancha ”Born Yesterday” and “Chess.”
Bastrop Opera House
711 Spring Street Bastrop 512-321-6283 www.bastropoperahouse.comThe Bastrop Opera House has come full circle in the Bastrop community since its construction in 1889 – beginning as a theatre during Bastrop’s boom days the Opera House was turned into a motion picture theater then became the local teen center. Finally in 1979 it returned to its theatrical roots when the Bastrop Opera House non-profit theatrical group took possession of the building and launched a program of historic restoration and were recognized by the Texas Historical Commission for their efforts. This not-for-profit theatre continues to bring family entertainment and outstanding drama productions to Bastrop and is the home of the children’s group The Bastrop Opera House YOUTHeatre.
Blue Theater
916 Springdale Road 512-684-3220 www.bluetheater.orgAn alternate entertainment establishment the Blue Theater strives to fulfill its mission “to cultivate a hive of creative activity through the endeavors of Austin’s thriving artist community.” It is a sponsored project of the Greater Austin Creative Alliance.
Dougherty Arts Center Theatre
1110 Barton Springs Road 512-397-1458 www.ci.austin.tx.us/doughertyThe old proscenium theatre has seen the full range of Austin talent cross its stage at one time or another. From cultural events to dance to original dramas to children’s plays the 150-seat Dougherty has provided a space and an opportunity for Austin artists to present their talents to their community.
Esther’s Follies
525 E. Sixth Street 512-320-0553 www.esthersfollies.comAn Austin classic Esther’s Follies is the reigning queen of comedy. Sharp wits and skits combined with classic routines (Follies founder Shannon Sedwick’s Patsy Cline routine for example) and mixed with biting edgy up-to-the-minute political satire makes sure that the crown never slips at the “Pool.”
Greenhouse Theatre
450 Old Kyle Road Wimberley 512-847-1592 www.wimberleyplayers.orgBringing live theatre to the Hill Country the Wimberley Players are the resident theatre company of this community theatre where past productions have included performances of the political comedy Llano Estacado and the haunting Rebecca. Call first for directions as finding the theatre can be a bit tricky.
Hyde Park Theatre
511 West 43rd Street 512-479-7529 www.hydeparktheatre.orgHome to resident theatre company Frontera Hyde Park Theatre has built a solid reputation as it continues to produce some of the best alternative original theatre in the region. The 80-seat venue also presents readings performance art children’s productions dance performances and other experimental projects. It also produces the annual Fronterafest where for five weeks beginning in January dozens of original plays are performed.
Jones Theater
Southwestern University 1001 E. University Avenue Georgetown 512-863-1378 www.southwestern.tix.comThe Jones Theater is the official theater of the Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University in Georgetown. Southwestern’s drama department is known for their stylish productions and their acclaimed Summer Stage Repertory Theatre program where student actors and technicians receive three hours of tuition-free course credit and all participants operate under the technical and artistic direction of faculty and professionals. Company members are selected through a highly competitive audition/interview process on the campus and at regional audition sites across the country.
Long Center
400 South First Street 512-472-5111 www.artscenterstage.orgPalmer Auditorium is slowly transitioning. As it is restored and given a make over it will no longer be known as Palmer but as the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts. No longer the site for car shows and gun shows the new auditorium will be the stage for many fine arts productions.
Louise T. Peter Center
Concordia University
3400 I-35 North 512-486-2000 www.concordia.eduFor a small university (relatively speaking in a city with UT close by) Concordia has a widely varied fine arts campus community to serve and does so ably with the newly constructed Louise T. Peter Center. The center houses Computer Labs the Schroeder Performance Hall music practice rooms offices and classrooms. Built in 1996 The Peter Center also has a multi-media center with a fully functional television studio.
Mary Moody Northern Theatre
St Edward’s University
3001 South Congress Avenue 512-448-8484 www.stedwards.edu/hum/thtr/mmnt.htmlSt. Edward’s University is well known for its theatre department’s “hands-on” approach to drama where “real world” actors and directors come to work side by side with students to produce exciting student productions. The 180-seat theatre in the round provides a unique up-close experience for both the audience and actors.
National Comedy Theatre of Austin
2525 W. Anderson Lane 512-743-4330NCTA offers good clean fun for the whole family. Two teams of professional comics compete for laughs by playing improv games that use suggestions from the audience. A referee officiates keeping score and calling fouls. Audience participation is essential but no one is singled out for negative attention. NCTA also offers improv training special corporate training programs and comedy defensive driving classes.
One World Theatre
7701 Bee Caves Road 512-330-9500 www.oneworldtheatre.orgLooks are deceiving – that large Italian-style villa in West Austin isn’t a villa at all – it’s a 300-seat theatre that has been bringing some of the best touring artists in music dance and drama that the world has to offer. With a 360-degree performance space One World Theatre offers its audience an incredibly intimate experience. Bookings run the gamut from chanting Tibetan monks to contemporary musicians to chamber music to jazz legends.
The Paramount Theatre
713 Congress Avenue 512-472-2901 www.austintheatrealliance.orgThe epicenter of Austin’s cultural scene the Paramount Theatre has been bringing the arts to the capital city since 1915 and is one of Austin’s main attractions. With a seating capacity of 1300 the Paramount brings Broadway shows classic movies music and dance to Austin and central Texas almost 300 nights a year.
Planet Theatre / Vortex Repertory Company
2307 Manor Road 512-478-5282 www.vortexrep.orgSo your taste in theatre runs a little more left of center? With their cutting-edge original productions ranging from cyberpunk operas to goddess plays to performance art chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Located in east Austin this former warehouse is now an intimate 80-seat theatre known for its eclectic bookings of individual artists and innovative theatre companies.
Salado Silver Spur Theater
108 Royal Street Salado 254-947-3456 www.saladosilverspurtheater.comThe Salado Silver Spur Theater offers comedy entertainment and family fun with vaudeville style comics and clowns for children and seniors alike. The Silber Spur is located in Bell County near Belton Killeen Temple Harker Heights Copperas Cove Georgetown and Waco.
The State Theatre Company
719 Congress Avenue 512-472-5143 www.austintheatrealliance.orgBuilt originally as a movie theatre the State recently completed renovations when the wandering Live Oak Theatre Company ceased its nomadic existence and decided to make the State Theatre its official home. The State houses two stages seating 400 and 100 and provides yet another outlet for Austin’s theatre scene. Many well-known local playwrights have had their original plays produced here and the State also produces classic and contemporary pieces.
Texas State University Theatre Center
601 University Drive San Marcos 512-245-2147 www.txstate.eduA truly beautiful theatre facility the round red brick Theatre Center contains two major performance spaces: The modified proscenium stage University Theatre and the “black box” performance stage Studio Theatre. A third performance space The Glade Theatre is outdoors in a garden setting.
The University of Texas at Austin
Performing Arts Center
Main Complex at 23rd and East Campus Drive 512-471-1444 www.utexas.eduThe Performing Arts Center at UT has brought an incredible number of world-class performances to Austin. The main complex at 23rd and East Campus Drive is a virtual rabbit’s warren of classrooms rehearsal halls studios and theatres. Bass Concert Hall seats 3000 and has presented touring Broadway shows such as Les Miserables and Cats the Austin Lyric Opera’s three major productions and Austin’s beloved holiday treat The Nutcracker. McCullough Theatre once known as the Opera Lab Theatre seats 400 and is used for traveling individual and student productions. Away from the main complex Bates Recital Hall in the Music Building offers its audience excellent acoustics in its 700-seat theatre. B. Iden Payne Theatre is a traditional proscenium theatre seating 500 and is part of the Drama Department’s Winship Building as is the Theatre Room a multi-use space capable of creating unique 360-degree theatrical experiences. The Hogg Auditorium at West 24th and Whitis is newly restored but maintains its old style proscenium arch design and classic feeling. Named for Texas governor James S. Hogg the theatre was built in 1933.
Zachary Scott Theatre Center
1510 Toomey Road 512-476-0541 www.zachscott.comAustin’s beloved Zach Scott Theatre “Austin’s Premiere Professional Theatre” offers two stages to entertain Austin audiences with sold-out performances year-round. The theatre’s resident company ZACH takes the main Whisenhunt Arena stage with its 200 seats to perform such plays as “Angels in America” and the wildly popular “Shear Madness” while smaller productions favor the 130-seat Kleberg Stage. Built in 1933 Zach Scott has gone from a simple community theatre to a major Central Texas regional theatre with a fine reputation.
Zilker Hillside Theatre
Zilker Park (Near Barton Springs Pool)
512-477-5335 or 512-397-1463 www.zilker.orgAustinites have been coming here for years to enjoy performances under the stars. With room for more than 2500 the annual Zilker Summer Musical is an Austin tradition that has been performed here for more than 40 years. The Hillside Theatre is also home to the annual Austin Shakespeare Festival in the fall. The theatre provides a venue for other performances throughout the year. Pack a picnic basket grab a blanket and head out to the park for this unique experience.
