Performing Arts and Live Theater in Virginia

The Lincoln Theatre, Marion - The Lincoln Theatre is one of three Art Deco Mayan Revival-style theatres in America! The theatre boasts a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system today as well as meticulously restored murals.

Ashland Theatre, Ashland - Ashland Theatre first opened its doors in 1948, serving as a center of entertainment for the charming town of Ashland until 1998. The historic building was renovated beginning in 2014, and after four years of careful restorations, the theatre reopened in December 2018. A 300-person theatre on Route 54, the Art Moderne venue will host current and classic movies, live music, and theater performances. This historic theatre also has a Virginia ABC permit, allowing you to enjoy an adult beverage with your entertainment. 

Altria Theater, Richmond - Richmond's Altria Theater was built in 1926 and used to be known as "The Mosque" as it was built as a shrine by the Shriners. The Altria seats 3,565. It features a variety of performances every season.

The State Theatre, Falls Church – The State Theatre was built in 1936. It closed in the 1980s but was renovated in the late 1990s and is now Washington Metro area's favorite new venue for live performances.

The American Theatre, Hampton – The American Theatre is a landmark building, newly renovated to include state of the art acoustics and sight lines. It seats 400 comfortably on two levels in plush, artistically restored original seats -- each with a perfect view and the furthest being a mere 75 feet from the stage.

Attucks Theatre, Norfolk – The Attucks Theatre is the nation's oldest theatre designed, developed, financed and operated entirely by African Americans. Once known as the "Apollo of the South," it has been restored to its original glory as a performing arts theatre.

Colonial Center for the Performing Arts, South Hill - The Colonial Center for the Performing Arts is one of the few remaining vaudeville theatres of its era in Virginia. Originally built in 1925, it housed many big names. Now listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places, The Colonial Center is three stories tall and houses a 400-seat auditorium with a balcony to stage a variety of entertainment.

Historic Masonic Theatre, Clifton Forge - The Historic Masonic Theatre, circa 1905, was originally an opera house. It is home to the VA Opry as well as the Stonewall Players.

The Buchanan Theatre, Buchanan - Buchanan – The Buchanan Theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places and is Botetourt County's oldest standing theatre. The Art Deco concrete details, neon sign and freestanding ticket booth add to the charm. It reopened in 2002 and is open on weekends for films and performances.

Riverside Center Theater, Fredericksburg – The Riverside Center Theater seats 400 patrons and offers live Broadway musicals, as well as weekly three-course dinner theater performance.

Swift Creek Mill Theater, Chesterfield – Swift Creek Mill Theatre is housed in a 350-year-old grist mill believed to be the nation's oldest. The Playhouse is open year-around and offers dinner theatre, theatre only as well as children's theatre.

Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, Wytheville - Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre in Wytheville offers year-round, all-musical performances paired with a delicious four-course meal. From Broadway hits to seasonal shows, enjoy top-tier entertainment with Southern charm in a cozy, German-themed venue nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Star Theatre, Stuart – The Star Theatre first opened in 1947 and has been newly renovated 45 years later. Today patrons can enjoy dinner theater productions as well as music and films.

Barter Theatre, Abingdon – When young Robert Porterfield opened the Barter Theatre in 1933 his ticket prices were as cheap as beans. Literally. Porterfield allowed local farmers to barter produce from their land and gardens for admission to see a play. At the end of the first season, the Barter Company cleared $4.35 in cash, two barrels of jelly and a collective food gain of over 300 pounds.

Virginia Repertory Theatre, Richmond – The Virginia Repertory Theatre is a professional theatre company and the result of the 2012 merger of Barksdale Theatre and Theatre IV. With four distinct venues, an educational touring arm, and an annual audience over 550,000, Virginia Rep is the largest professional theatre and one of the largest performing arts organizations in Central Virginia.

Firehouse Theatre, Richmond - The Firehouse Theatre aims to provide proactive, adult oriented theatre for the metropolitan Richmond area. The theatre opened in 1994 thanks to the ingenuity of local actors and Richmonders who wanted a greater artistic presence in the city. From Broadway favorites to original scripts to slam poetry competitions, the Firehouse theatre serves the community with an eclectic array of performances that reflect the city it serves.

Signature Theatre, Arlington - Signature Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre that produces contemporary plays and musicals in an intimate playing space.

Chrysler Hall, Norfolk - Chrysler Hall is a 2,503-seat luxury theater adjacent to the Scope arena and offers Broadway shows and other performances.

Virginia Musical Theatre, Virginia Beach – Virginia Musical Theatre is dedicated to the preservation of musical theatre as a uniquely American art form and offers full-scale productions with the best regional talent and guest stars.

The Generic Theater, Norfolk – The Generic Theater is an off-Broadway theater and offers new plays and new interpretations of the classics.

Peninsula Fine Arts Theatre, Newport News – Peninsula Fine Arts Theatre is located in historic Hilton Village and presents full-scale musicals, drams and children's theatre throughout the year.

Blackfriars Playhouse. Staunton - Located in the heart of historic Staunton, the American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse is the world's only re-creation of Shakespeare's original indoor theatre. This one-of-a-kind facility plays home to the nationally recognized Shenandoah Shakespeare acting troupe.

Hanover Tavern, Hanover - Hanover Tavern was an ordinary at Hanover Courthouse in 1733, where Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson frequented. The Barksdale Theatre performs here, too.

Yoder Barn, Newport News - Built in 1935 as a home for hay and dairy cows, the Yoder Barn has been transformed into a unique performance space that combines rustic charm with modern lighting and sound. The theatre hosts plays, folk operas, musicals, choral groups, hymn sings and more.

Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News – Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University presents world-class performers in music, theatre and dance.

Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach – The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts hosts various performances throughout the year in the regal theater and outdoor performance area.

The American Theatre, Hampton – The American Theatre is a landmark building, newly renovated to include state of the art acoustics and sight lines. It seats 400 comfortably on two levels in plush, artistically restored original seats -- each with a perfect view and the furthest being a mere 75 feet from the stage.

Shaftman Performance Hall, Roanoke – Shaftman Performance Hall at Jefferson Center is a 1,000-seat theater for an eclectic array of classical and contemporary performances.