If you enjoy a night at the theater, there are many places around Orange County where you can take in a new show. Whether you’re looking for a classical ballet or a live community theater production, here is a list of live theater and performing arts venues in Orange County.
Anaheim
Chance Theater
5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807
888-455-4212
Website: https://chancetheater.com/
Located at Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center, Chance Theater is dedicated to creating exciting theatrical experiences, taking artistic risks, and collaborating with gifted and diverse artists on passionate and provocative plays and musicals. Visitors can find a variety of unique performances regularly scheduled here, including family productions like Fancy Nancy, The Musical.
Pearson Park Amphitheatre
401 North Lemon Street, Anaheim, CA 92805
714-765-5191
Website: https://www.anaheim.net/1432/Pearson-Park-Amphitheatre
Pearson Park Amphitheatre is an outdoor venue that seats just over 2000 guests. It is primarily used in the summer months for free, outdoor concerts but is also available for community theatre groups and other events and performances.
Brea
Curtis Theatre
1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821
714-990-7722
Website: https://www.ci.brea.ca.us/1594/Curtis-Theatre
Located at the Civic and Cultural Center in Brea, the Curtis Theatre offers an intimate setting with guests just feet from the performers. Each season features a fantastic combination of engaging artists, riveting theater performances, and live music.
Buena Park
Buena Park Youth Theatre
6688 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90621
714-449-3211
Website: https://www.bpyouththeatre.com/
Buena Park Youth Theatre was founded in 1980 and gives local students the opportunity to learn about and participate in live theatrical performances. Shows are generally held at Buena Park High School Performing Arts Complex.
Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa Playhouse
661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-650-5269
Website: https://www.costamesaplayhouse.com/
With limited seating for only 73, the Costa Mesa is a community theater that has served the area for over 50 years. They host a variety of affordable performances each season from September through June including plays, dancing, musical productions, and more.
OCC Performing Arts
2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-432-5072
Website: https://orangecoastcollege.edu/academics/vpa/index.html
OCC Performing Arts offers productions for the community to enjoy showcasing events by students and guests. Performances include theater arts, music, drama, visual arts, and dance. Performances are usually in the Robert B. Moore Theater which is recently renovated and seats about 900.
Segerstrom Center For The Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-556-2787
Website: https://www.scfta.org/
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is a respected multi-disciplinary cultural institution in Costa Mesa. The campus includes several different performing arts theatres and regularly features a line up of events showcasing regional and national productions like Wicked, Disney’s Frozen, and Shen Yun. Venues at Segerstrom include:
- Segerstrom Hall
- Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
- Samueli Theater
- Julianne and George Argyros Plaza
- Center for Dance & Innovation/Judy Morr Theater
South Coast Repertory
655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-708-5555
Website: https://www.scr.org/
South Coast Repertory is an acclaimed theater company with three spaces showcasing contemporary plays, classic works, and Broadway hits. They have new events scheduled regularly for all ages to enjoy. Also, through South Coast Repertory Theatre Conservatory, everyone ages 8 and up can participate in a variety of year-round performing arts classes.
Starlight Theatre OC
1215 Baker St., Unit C, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
714-336-6268
Website: https://www.starlighttheatreoc.com/
Starlight Theatre OC is dedicated to teaching youth ages 6-17 about performing arts, and adult casts for productions. There are a number of youth musicals and adult productions presented throughout the season. They also host occasional limited space workshops.
Cypress
Cypress College Theatre Arts
9200 Valley View St., Cypress, CA 90630
714-484-7201
Website: https://www.cypresscollegetheatre.com/
Cypress College Theatre Arts offers classes and degrees in performing arts. They host regular productions and events each season that are open to the community to attend.
Fountain Valley
Saigon Grand Center
16149 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708
657-657-7879
Website: https://www.saigongrandcenter.com/
Formerly the Saigon Performing Arts Center, the newly renovated location features two venues for performances. They host a variety of shows and theatrical events throughout the season, mostly tailored to the diverse cultures of the surrounding area.
Fullerton
Fullerton College Campus Theatre
321 E Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
714-992-7150
Website: http://fcfinearts.fullcoll.edu/
The Fullerton College Campus Theatre is a live venue that showcases plays, improve, shows, and other performances featuring college students. The Campus Theatre is an intimate venue with a max capacity of just over 500 seats.
Maverick Theater
110 E. Walnut Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832
714-526-7070
Website: https://mavericktheater.com/
For over 20 years, Maverick Theater has been a place for community theatre productions in the city of Fullerton. They have a cabaret stage and a black box stage, and they aim to attract new theater audiences by showcasing a variety of productions. Visit them to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show and fun stage adaptations of shows like King Kong and Night of the Living Dead.
Muckenthaler Cultural Center
1201 Malvern Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833
714-738-6595
Website: https://themuck.org/
The Muck is a cultural center that is a historic house in the city of Fullerton. They have outdoor gardens and an indoor gallery. They host regular events and performances and are the home of the Electric Company Theatre, showcasing a variety of theatrical productions.
Garden Grove
The GEM Theater
12852 Main Street, Garden Grove, CA 92840
714-741-9550
Website: https://www.thegemoc.com/
The GEM Theatre has a long history, first housing vaudeville performers, later becoming a cinema house. Today, the GEM is a performance venue that hosts a variety of live theatre productions including original shows created and produced by local artists.
Huntington Beach
Golden West College Performing Arts
15751 Gothard St., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714-895-8150
Website: http://www.gwctheater.com/
Golden West College Performing Arts showcases theatrical performances and events including seasonal productions. The college has courses and programs for those seeking a career in theater arts.
Huntington Beach Central Library Performing Arts
7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-960-8839
Website: https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/departments/library/
The Performing Arts Theatre at the Huntington Beach Central Library is a small performance venue that seats just over 300 patrons. They host occasional live theatrical performances here, including holiday presentations like The Nutcracker. Many events here are geared to youth audiences.
Huntington Beach Historic Theater
1905 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Huntington Beach Historic Theater is an auditorium on the campus of Huntington Beach High School. While the theater is primarily used for High School Performing Arts productions, during the holiday season, they often host special productions by outside performing companies putting on shows like The Nutcracker.
Orange County Children’s Theater
8200 Ellis Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646
714-502-2244
Website: https://www.occt.org/
Orange County Children’s Theater is the oldest continuous running youth theater in Orange County. Established in 1969, OCCT is open to youth ages 5 to 18. They host a variety of productions each season like Annie and Catch Me If You Can, plus they offer summer camps for aspiring artists.
Irvine
Irvine Barclay Theatre
4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
949-854-4646
Website: https://www.thebarclay.org/
Barclay Theatre is located on the campus of University of California, Irvine and is a leading presenter of diverse performances and exceptional artists in a state of the art venue. They have a calendar packed with a variety of shows including dance and theater performances by both performing arts college programs and well known artists like Wynton Marsalis.
Irvine Valley College Performing Arts Center
5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
949-451-5100
Website: https://www.ivc.edu/pac
Irvine Valley College Performing Arts Center is the home for the Irvine Valley College School of the Arts. They host a variety of seasonal events and performances across multiple disciplines including dance, theater, and music.
Musical Theatre Village
36 Mauchly Ste C, Irvine, CA 92618
949-753-1996
Website: https://musicaltheatrevillage.net/
Musical Theatre Village is a community theater serving South Orange County. They present six family-friendly productions each season. They also offer youth leadership programs.
La Habra
La Habra Depot Theatre
311 S Euclid St., La Habra, CA 90631
714-690-2900
Website: https://thephantomprojectstheatre.com/
The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot is an intimate local theater that showcases many well known plays and musicals. They host a variety of family-friendly productions throughout the season.
Laguna Beach/Laguna Niguel
Laguna Playhouse
606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-497-2787
Website: https://lagunaplayhouse.com/
Located in the arts colony of Laguna Beach and founded in 1920, this historic equity theatre offers year round performances that include family shows, youth performances, stand up comedy, musicals, and dramas. Laguna Playhouse is consistently voted one of the Best In OC.
No Square Theater
384 Legion St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-715-0333
Website: https://www.nosquare.org/
No Square Theatre is dedicated to providing performance and theatrical experience to local amateur performers, directors and technical staff of all ages. Events here include plays, musicals, revues, choral performances, and the annual roast of life on the coast, Lagunatics. They also offer workshops for all ages, children’s theatre, theatre for the deaf and hearing impaired, and more.
Lake Forest
Lake Forest Performing Arts Center
100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-461-3400
Website: https://www.lakeforestca.gov/en/performingartscenter
The Lake Forest Performing Arts Center is a small venue that doubles as a City Council Chamber. The theater seats about 200 and is often used by local community theater companies to present their productions.
Los Alamitos
Bold Theatre
10631 Bloomfield Street, Unit 5, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
562-357-4225
Website: https://boldtheatre.org/
Bold Theatre is a small, 39 seat venue that offers a place for it’s members to present thought-provoking and exciting theatrical performances.
Mission Viejo
Creative Kids Playhouse Children’s Theatre of Orange County
23831 Via Fabricante Suite 302, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949-297-6257
Website: http://creativekidsplayhouse.com/
Creative Kids Playhouse is a children’s theater company that gives kids an education in performing arts and allows them to take the stage for performances. There are several performances throughout the year.
Saddleback College Performing Arts
28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
949-582-4500
Website: https://www.saddleback.edu/life-saddleback/arts
Saddleback College has a performing arts venue that hosts regular performances and events in art, dance, music, speech, and theatre arts.
Z Playhouse
24196 Alicia Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
949-446-6572
Website: https://www.zplayhouse.org/
Z Playhouse is a family oriented community theatre company that produces classic, modern, and original works. They host additional events in addition to performances including stand up comedy nights and comedy classes. They also offer performing arts classes for youth through their youth theatre program.
Newport Beach
Newport Theatre Arts Center
2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-631-0288
Website: https://www.ntactickets.com/
Newport Theatre Arts Center has been hosting community theater productions since 1979. Each season they showcase several different live productions like Guys and Dolls and Murder Among Friends.
Orange
KIDS Musical Theater
154 S Shaffer St., Orange, CA 92866
714-403-6711
Website: https://kidsmusicaltheater.com/
Located at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, KIDS Musical Theater is a youth performing arts program for ages 8 through 18. They showcase a variety of shows including dull Broadway productions like Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Oliver, and The Taming of the Shrew.
Musco Center For The Arts
One University Drive, Orange, CA 92866
844-626-8726
Website: https://muscocenter.org/Online/default.asp
Musco Center for the Arts is an 88,000 square foot venue at Chapman College. There are over 1,000 seats on three levels in the state of the art theater. Visitors to the Musco Center can see both productions by Chapman’s College of Performing arts, and well known performers.
Waltmar Theatre In Moulton Hall
315 E Palm Ave., Orange, CA 92866
714-997-6624
Website: https://www.chapman.edu/copa/theatre/index.aspx
Waltmar Theatre is a small, 244 seat performance venue on the Chapman College campus. This theatre is primarily used for college student performances.
Rancho Santa Margarita
Ovations Performing Arts Conservatory
30346 Esperanza, Suite A, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
949-439-1941
Website: https://www.ovationspac.org/
Ovations is a performing arts conservatory dedicated to youth theatre for children ages 5 to 18. They feature a variety of youth productions including plays, musical theatre, dance, and performance choir. They also offer classes, summer camps, and other activities.
San Clemente
Cabrillo Playhouse
202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, CA 92672
949-492-0465
Website: https://cabrilloplayhouse.org/
A community entertainer since 1953, the Cabrillo Playhouse is a popular venue in San Clemente. They host a variety of events and theatrical performances each year and the venue is available to rent for special occasions.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center
415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672
949-498-2139
Website: https://www.casaromantica.org/
Casa Romantica is the former home of the original founder of the city of San Clemente, Ole Hanson. Now a cultural institution, guests can enjoy a variety of activities and experiences here including café concerts and live music, theater and ballet performances, art exhibitions, and more.
San Juan Capistrano
Camino Real Playhouse
31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-489-8082
Website: https://caminorealplayhouse.org/
Camino Real Playhouse is a community theater production company that offers a calendar of regularly scheduled events that include both unique and well-know productions like The Sound Of Music. They also host comedy nights and other events. For those interested in learning more or becoming part of theater performances, Camino Real Playhouse also offers classes.
Tustin
Top Hat 8 Repertory Theater
3002 Dow Ave., Unit 106, Tustin, CA 92780
Website: https://tophat8rep.org/
Top Hat 8 Repertory offers theatrical opportunities for all people in a nurturing and supportive environment. They have several shows, events, and performances throughout the year.
Westminster
Rose Center Theater
14140 All American Way, Westminster, CA 92683
714-793-1150
Website: https://www.rosecentertheater.com/
The Rose Center Theater is one of the most well-renowned performing arts centers in Orange County. They host a variety of performances and events each season including musical productions and dance competitions.
Westminster Community Theatre
7272 Maple Street, Westminster, CA 92683
714-893-8626
Website: https://www.wcpstage.com/
Westminster Community Theatre hosts several productions each season. They also have a youth theater arts program that provides opportunities to students seeking participation in acting, singing, and dancing. Youth groups participate in 8 weeks of rehearsals and 6 performances.
Yorba Linda
Virginia De Land Theater at Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center
4802 Lakeview Avenue, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
657-242-4660
Website: https://www.yorbalindaca.gov/818/Cultural-Arts-Center-Information
The Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center is a new facility featuring performing arts venues like Virginia De Land Theater. A variety of programming can be enjoyed here including theatrical productions, dance, music, comedy, and more.
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