Kansas' 10 Best Live Theater Venues!

Across Kansas, community theater groups and large touring acts have been putting on top-notch shows for years. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the stage, hidden backstage or sitting in the audience, it takes a community to provide theater art. Here are the 10 best places for live theater in the state! 

Russell Community Theater, Russell, KS

It is the mission of the Russell Community Theater in Russell, “to perform live theatre for the enlightenment and enjoyment of the audience,” and they have succeeded at doing just that for the last 40 years. Great hometown entertainment for area fans and opportunities to perfect local talent. 

Iola Community Warehouse Theater, Iola, KS

You are encouraged to “be a star” at the Iola Community Warehouse Theater in Iola. A successful community theater group who have been performing a variety of plays and concerts for half a century. Each year volunteers and good folks promote the arts through productions and develop the theater arts, in Allen County, Kanas.

Mosley Street Melodrama, Wichita, KS

A one-of-a-kind experience for audience members who attend productions at the Mosley Street Melodrama in Wichita. This community theater group is top of the list, from the quick wit of the talented writers to the sensational acting of the performers. Prepare yourself for first class entertainment and if you are lucky you might end up on stage with the cast.

McCain Auditorium, Manhattan, KS

The McCain Auditorium is part of Kansas State University in Manhattan and home to professional shows and live community theater productions. The McCain, Main Stage offers several professional shows each year. The Second Stage theater is home to KSU students who direct, perform and design four community performance each year. 

Theater Atchison, Atchison, KS

Providing quality entertainment from community actors is what the Theater Atchison, in Atchison, is all about. Creating both adult and teen theater productions annually by very talented citizens, who work hard to enrich their lives and present memorable experiences for patrons. Don’t miss a performance!

Great Bend Community Theatre, Great Bend, KS

Not everyone can be a star on Broadway, but anyone can be a part of the very successful Great Bend Community Theatre in Great Bend. Year after year, from start to finish, this theater troupe provides quality hometown entertainment for central Kansas on stage at the Crest Theater.

The Depot Theater Company, Dodge City, KS

Performing live Broadway plays every year, and said to be the “crown jewel of the western Kansas art scene” there is nothing simple about the very talented Depot Theater Company members of Dodge City. The company has been entertaining area citizens and a few tourists for over 30 years. Don’t miss a minute of their main productions, their “experimental, side-tract” productions, or their renowned cabaret.  

The Olathe Community Theater Association, Olathe, KS

When you set in a seat at the Olathe Civic Theater in Olathe, you won’t notice the years and years of hard work community volunteers have poured into making each production. You only notice the wonderful displays of each actor and each stage hand, who have spent years and years perfecting performances. It is well worth the ticket, the seat!

The Junction City Little Theater, Junction City, KS

Said to be one of the oldest, active community theater group in the state of Kansas, the Junction City Little Theater in Junction City began in 1949. Then and now this theater troupe of local performers and productions assistants continues to perform outstanding live theater and entertaining audiences in the historic C.L. Hoover Opera House. 

The Auburn Community Theater, Auburn, KS

The Auburn Community Theater (ACT) in Auburn began by a small group of friends who wanted to produce and act in a community theater setting. The group succeeded, and 10 plus years later the ACT theater group has grown and performs regularly at the Hussey Theater in downtown Topeka. A celebrated group who have performed some of the best community theater around.

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215 N Campbell Street, Abilene, KS
The Great Plains Theatre (GPT) was established in 1995 as a 501-C3 non-profit year-round professional theatre. Dream big at GPT by experiencing liv... Read More
303 East Iron Avenue, Salina, KS
Mission and History: Salina Community Theatre is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of people in Salina an... Read More
151 South Santa Fe, Salina, KS
MISSION The Mission of the Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts is to provide quality experiences that enrich, educate and entertain. The pro... Read More
135 West 7th Street, Junction City, KS
The Junction City Opera House opened in 1882 through the initiative of local citizens to bring cultural events otherwise only rarely encountered in... Read More
135 West 7th Street, Junction City, KS
Mission  Statement:Located in historic Junction City, Kansas, our mission is to enrich, educate, and entertain our regional community by provi... Read More
100 East Kechi Road, Kechi, KS
History:The Kechi Playhouse opened June 16, 1983 with a production of The Fantasticks. Since then, 150 productions have graced our small stage, uti... Read More
258 North Fountain Street, Wichita, KS
Mission Statement: The mission of Wichita Community Theatre is to be an all-volunteer organization that promotes quality, affordable live theatre ... Read More
3207 East Douglas, Wichita, KS
The Crown Uptown Professional Dinner Theatre is Wichita's most popular and the only year round professional theatre in the area. We have the fine... Read More
536 North Broadway Street, Wichita, KS
HistoryThe Louise C. Murdock Theatre was built as an addition to the Victorian-era 20th Century Center building in 1931. Named after the founder of... Read More
200 North Broadway, Wichita, KS
The Orpheum Theatre in Wichita, Kansas built by theatre mogul Carl Hobitzelle, opened on September 4, 1922, and was the first atmospheric theatre i... Read More
523 State Street, Augusta, KS
The Augusta Historic Theatre is a two-story art deco, brick, and glass building in the center of downtown Augusta. It was one of the first theatres... Read More
201 Lulu, Wichita, KS
If you're looking for a place to learn, act, dance, sing, perform, be imaginative, creative, think outside the box, and most of all have fun, this ... Read More
225 West Douglas, Wichita, KS
Music Theatre for Young People produces four full Broadway musicals during each school year. We also offer both summer and winter theatre camps, as... Read More
225 West Douglas, Suite 202, Wichita, KS
Mission: When Music Theatre of Wichita was formed in 1972, the founders chose to state our mission as having a two-fold purpose: to provide firs... Read More
1520 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS
History:On July 1, 1996, the Manhattan Civic Theatre, Manhattan Arts Council, and Manhattan Arts Center were legally merged into one organization. ... Read More
2221 W Rita St, Wichita, KS
Wichita Shakespeare Company is a not for profit theatrical organization based in Wichita, Kansas. It is our mission to provide quality, free of cha... Read More
310 North Main Street, Hutchinson, KS
The Family Children’s Theatre was established to strengthen the self-worth and poise of each individual and to build bridges that unify the c... Read More
18 East First Avenue, Hutchinson, KS
Mission The Hutchinson's Historic Fox Theatre is a regional center for the arts dedicated to the expression of the human spirit through quality en... Read More
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