Top Seattle Art Theatres
The Seattle Repertory Theatre is one of the city’s premier art theaters, producing world premieres, new works, and award-winning interpretations of classics. You can also catch touring concerts at the Moore Theatre, or catch a Broadway show at the historic Paramount Theatre. Plus, there are over fifty other theatres in Seattle that present inspired work by emerging artists. In addition, the city is also home to the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the world’s largest outdoor performing arts company, and even poetry readings.
The Paramount Theatre
The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington is a 2,807-seat performing arts venue located on 9th Avenue and Pine Street. This theatre was originally known as the Seattle Theatre and had a seating capacity of 3,000. The Paramount Theatre opened in 1922 and has been a staple of Seattle’s cultural landscape ever since. It has been home to many world-renowned performers and productions. It was the first theatre in the country to feature a three-tiered seating system.
The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington was built in 1928 as the Seattle Theatre. It opened as a movie house and vaudeville theater. The theater was built in a boom time when movies were becoming increasingly popular. The first “talkie” had been released the year prior. The Depression was still looming in the background, but movies had become a major industry, fueled by the popularity of the medium. Big studios controlled production and distribution, and many venues were devoted to their films.
Aside from its theater seats, the Paramount is also home to numerous businesses and artists. Aside from businesses, there will be apartments and commercial space in the building. Artists, musicians, sculptors, photographers, and medical professionals will find a home here. The theatre’s mezzanine and Pine Street level are also available for beauty salons. And while there are many other options for entertainment, Seattle is fortunate enough to have the Paramount Theatre to provide some of the best live entertainment in the Pacific Northwest.
The Paramount Theatre is an iconic landmark in Seattle, Washington. A variety of performances take place here, from smash-hit Broadway musicals to world-class bands and evocative dance performances. The Paramount is also home to A-list comedians, magical family shows, and enchanting jazz recitals. Pink Floyd, Madonna, and Nirvana have played at the theatre. The Paramount has become one of the busiest theatres in the city.
The Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington was originally called the Seattle Theatre and opened in 1928. The building’s exterior is modern and has been owned by Paramount Associates, a group of local investors and West Coast Theatres. The Paramount’s Wurlitzer organ was restored and is now fully operational. The Paramount’s organist is Jim Riggs, who accompanies the theatre’s silent film series. He is a lifelong theatre organ enthusiast.
McCaw Hall
McCaw Hall is a performing arts center located in Seattle, Washington. It is owned by the city of Seattle and tenants include Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Opera. You can see all sorts of shows at this theatre, including world-renowned plays and ballet performances. It is a must-see attraction when visiting Seattle. You can catch a show or attend a concert, and enjoy the beautiful scenery while watching a show.
If you’re a fan of classical music, you should consider going to McCaw Hall. The auditorium seats 2,900 people and features the Nesholm Family Lecture Hall, which seats 380 people. The hall also includes two beautiful donor/special function rooms. It was designed by LMN, a local architectural firm, to balance sophistication with flexibility. Its lobbies are open and airy, while its five-story serpentine glass wall creates an opulent ambiance.
If you love Shakespeare, head to Seattle Center for a world-class production of Shakespeare’s plays and musicals. The company’s growing reputation is a testament to the power of Shakespeare’s words and ideas. Their performances challenge, delight, and foster an appreciation for the Bard. And for the children, they have an entire theatre devoted to Shakespeare’s plays. There’s something to suit everyone’s taste.
The local modern dance scene has exploded in recent years. The free Frye Art Museum offers an eclectic mix of contemporary and classical art. While you’re in town, you can visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass, where you can see world-famous glass artist Dale Chihuly’s famous pieces are displayed. You can also find an impressive collection of his work in the Henry Art Gallery on the campus of the University of Washington.
The ambiance at McCaw Hall is sophisticated and elegant. The seats are elevated and require a bit of walking, but there are elevators at the ends of the theater. If you can’t make the climb, bring a pair of binoculars for the best view. There are plenty of other places to watch an art show and enjoy the scenery. It’s hard to go wrong with the McCaw Hall, one of the top seattle art theatres in Washington.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet
The Pacific Northwest Ballet is one of the most popular theater companies in the city, and a must-see for any Seattle arts fan. Founded in 1890 by Roman Catholic sisters, the Pacific Northwest Ballet began its run in Seattle in 1958. During the period from 1976 to 1985, the company performed a variety of ballets in the Seattle area. Many of its shows were sponsored by civic organizations and featured visiting professional dancers.
The company presents two new productions each year: Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote. The Sleeping Beauty is a classic work of ballet choreography by George Balanchine, and the sets were designed by Ian Falconer, who created the pig, Olive. There are 154 costumes in all, including a Chihuly Winter Star, which makes an impressive appearance in Act 1.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet is led by two artistic directors. Trustees and president Rick Redman share a commitment to Balanchine’s work. Their plans to revitalize the Pacific Northwest Ballet are similar to their own. The two collaborated during their last season to plan the company’s future. After all, it was a collaborative effort and both men were committed to the arts. That commitment is what makes it a top Seattle art theatre in Washington.
While the Pacific Northwest Ballet is one of the top Seattle art theatres in Washington, the company continues to grow and expand its offerings. Since its founding, the ballet has performed Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliette. The Pacific Northwest Ballet has acquired fifteen Balanchine ballets, as well as modern classics by Todd Blolender, Jose Limon, and Anthony Tudor. And the company also has been expanding its repertoire, adding works by contemporary choreographers.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet was founded in 1972 and consistently ranked among the best professional ballet companies in the United States. The company performs at Seattle Center, McCaw Hall, and the Seattle Opera House. Founder and artistic director Glynn Ross, who died in 2005, filed articles of incorporation for Pacific Northwest Dance on November 20, 1972. This company has expanded its repertory and presented regional premieres to critical acclaim.
The Pacific Northwest Opera
If you want to attend an opera in the Pacific Northwest, a visit to McCaw Hall in Seattle is a must. This world-class theatre is located on the grounds of Seattle Center. The Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Seattle Opera are two of the many tenants at this theater. Whether you’re a lover of classical music or you’d rather see a ballet performance in a more intimate setting, McCaw Hall will be sure to entertain you.
Seattle’s opera company was incorporated in 1893 and first performed at McCaw Hall in the city’s Central District. The Pacific Northwest Opera shares the building with the Seattle Symphony and also holds rehearsals in a Fremont warehouse. Henry Holt is appointed music director and starts the Seattle Opera’s National Artists Program. In addition, the company begins massive education programs throughout the state and sends educators into local classrooms.
Ballet has a season that begins in September at the Paramount Theatre. The Pacific Northwest Ballet will perform Singularly Cerrudo, Beyond Ballet, and Romeo and Juliet, which have all been crowd favorites. The Pacific Northwest Opera has a full season planned for McCaw Hall, beginning Oct. 16 and ending Dec. 17. This year’s Orpheus and Eurydice sold out in a week. The Pacific Northwest Theatre’s 5th Avenue Theatre will also launch a new season in January with Beauty and the Beast and The Prom.
The Goodman Theater is a non-profit, resident theater in the Seattle area. Founded in the 1960s, Goodman is committed to keeping theater at the center of public life. Currently, the theater is performing a medium-blending adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Fannie Lou Hamer: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a tribute to the late civil rights icon, is also currently running at the Goodman.
If you want to attend a show, PONCHO is an excellent choice. Besides the opera, PONCHO also features ballet. Besides being a top Seattle art theatre, the Pacific Northwest Opera also offers world-class classical music concerts. If you’re in the Seattle area, you should definitely check out Pacific Northwest Ballet. It is the only opera in Seattle that puts the city on the map.
