9 Best Places for Live Theater in Mississippi!
Live theater is an art form unlike any other. It brings the audience into the story with the actors, creating an intimate experience that brings a play to life. Mississippi has a rich cultural history, and these are the best places in the state to see live theater.
Hattiesburg Saenger Theater, Hattiesburg, MS
The Saenger Theater in Hattiesburg is one of seven theaters built by the Saenger brothers in the early 20th century, and is one of the few movie palaces that still remains in the state. This magnificent theater opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1929, and still boasts many of its original details, including the chandeliers and a rare original Robert Morton pipe organ.
Meridian Temple Theater, Meridian, MS
Meridian Temple Theater was built in 1928, and at the time featured the second-largest stage in the United States. It is the only theater in Mississippi besides the Hattiesburg Saenger to feature a Robert Morton pipe organ. Visiting this grand building is like taking a trip back in time to the glamorous days of the silent film era, and it will be an experience you'll never forget.
Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Center of Arts & Education, Ocean Springs, MS
The O'Keefe family has a long history of being involved with the arts on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Mary C., as it's affectionately nicknamed, is located in a beautiful old public school in Ocean Springs that was built in 1927. There are 11 rooms filled with art, including the auditorium. Live shows are put on throughout the year.
Parkside Playhouse, Vicksburg, MS
The Parkside Playhouse in Vicksburg is one of the newer entries on our list, but its occupants are anything but new to the theater scene. The Vicksburg Theatre Guild has been staging live theatre for over 80 years, and are renowned for their creative and colorful performances.
The Riley Center, Meridian, MS
The Riley Center, which is owned by Mississippi State University, is also known as the Grand Opera House. It, along with many of the other historical theaters in the state, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1889, and was renovated in 2006 to restore much of its original beauty. This is one of the most magnificent buildings in the state and is worth a trip to Meridian.
Thalia Mara Hall, Jackson, MS
Thalia Mara Hall was originally named the Jackson Municipal Auditorium when it was built in 1968, but it was renamed to honor Miss Thalia Mara, a world-famous ballerina who brought the International Ballet Competition to Jackson in 1979. Today, the theater is a venue for ballets, plays, and other special events.
Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts, Poplarville, MS
Pearl River Community College built the Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts in 2011, seeking to build a state-of-the-art home for their fine arts program. The center has been a great success for the campus, and they have recently expanded their number of offerings during the arts season.
Roxy Theatre, Newton, MS
The Roxy Theatre was built as a movie theatre, as were many of the other entries on this list. It operated as such from 1934 until 1978. Since 1994, it has been the home to the Newton Theatre Company and is used as the venue for their productions, which include children's productions and dinner theatre. In 2013, a courtyard and new dressing rooms were added.
Natchez Little Theatre, Natchez, MS
Natchez Little Theatre has been entertaining since 1932 and is the most active volunteer community theater troupe in the United States. Performances range from the dramatic to children's theater. They stage 13 productions a year, with 115 performances, so you have plenty of chances to join the audience.
