Home > Houston > Attractions > Theater

Theater - Houston Hotels .com

Theater
Performance theater has always been a vital part of Houston's livelihood. With an entire 17-block area aptly named the Houston Theater District, the city is ranked second in the United States for the number of theater seats in a downtown location. The area boasts more than 12,000 seats -- an impressive amount surpassed only by New York City. This district draws in an average of two million visitors annually and is home to eight professional performing arts organizations and five theaters.

Many of these world-class venues were built through philanthropy and area fundraising, a true testament to the city's can-do spirit. The Wortham Theater Center, for instance, is a 437,000 square-foot facility that was entirely funded by private donors. It houses both the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera. Furthermore, the Alley Theatre founded by Nina Vance 60 years ago, received its name because its first location was a single room at the end of an alleyway. The Alley has since matured into the only major Houston performing arts company that owns its own building. It now has two stages and a worldwide reputation.

Some of the Southwest's most influential theater groups call Space City home. The Society for the Performing Arts is the largest non-profit of its kind within the Southwest. This organization hosts orchestras, dance troupes, recitalists, and solo performers within Jones Hall. As yet another fine place to see a play, the Ensemble Theater, located in midtown, is the largest professional African-American theater in the region and puts on culturally significant works in an intimate space.

Houston also has an abundance of concert halls and movie theaters. Bayou Place offers a mix of dining, drinking, movie, and music establishments in a 130,000 square-foot center. The Verizon Wireless Theater within this complex puts on all kinds of shows and its seating style ensures a great view for everyone. And for a unique experience under the Texas stars, the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park offers outstanding performances free to the public.