Experience the incredible Memphis theater scene while you’re in town, from beloved Broadway musicals to breathtaking ballet to experimental productions featuring emerging local talents. Keep reading to find out more about theater in Memphis. We'll run through all of Memphis' top venues while also helping you plan a full night out with food, drink and hotel recommendations. Plus, we've highlighted all of Memphis' upcoming performing arts events.
Experience the incredible Memphis theater scene while you’re in town, from beloved Broadway musicals to breathtaking ballet to experimental productions featuring emerging local talents. Keep reading to find out more about theater in Memphis. We'll run through all of Memphis' top venues while also helping you plan a full night out with food, drink and hotel recommendations. Plus, we've highlighted all of Memphis' upcoming performing arts events.
DOWNTOWN
Orpheum Theatre
A stunning jewel among the theaters of Memphis, the Orpheum Theatre was originally built in 1890 as the Grand Opera House on the corner of Main and Beale. More than a century later, a rebuilt and newly renovated Orpheum still stands as one of the South’s finest theaters, having hosted world-class entertainment such as Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Dylan and Arcade Fire. The Orpheum’s Broadway Series brings popular musicals and dramas to the gilded stage each season.
The Orpheum's 2025-26 Broadway Series is filled with exciting shows and musicals, like THE OUTSIDERS, THE SOUND OF MUSIC and SIX.
Check out the full lineup below:
THE OUTSIDERS — Jan. 20–25, 2026
THE SOUND OF MUSIC — Feb. 17–22, 2026
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL — March 3–8, 2026
SIX — April 21–26, 2026
DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST — June 2–7, 2026
Learn more about the 2025-26 Broadway schedule here.
Don't miss the annual Broadway Series at Orpheum Theatre, featuring hit musicals and plays like The Outsiders and Six.
Halloran Centre
In 2015, the Halloran Centre opened next door to the Orpheum Theatre as an additional performance and conference space in a luxurious modern venue. The 2025-26 season features an interactive murder mystery theater series, The Orchestra Unplugged and the Memphis Songwriters Series. See the Halloran Centre's full lineup here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
For a quintessential Orpheum and Halloran Centre experience, grab pre-theatre drinks at Bar Ware or enjoy modern gastropub fare and cocktails at South of Beale. If the night is still young when the final curtain closes, take your group and head to one of Memphis’ late-night dives for post-show drinks.
Cannon Center For Performing Arts
As one of the nation’s best acoustic facilities, the Cannon Center in downtown Memphis is a magical experience for witnessing both classical and popular musical performances. Most notably home to the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Cannon Center hosts the MSO from October to May each year. Check out the Cannon Center events calendar here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
Before your evening at the Symphony, enjoy fine dining where indecisiveness is celebrated at Flight Restaurant.
Make a weekend of it with a downtown hotel stay and exciting ways to explore downtown Memphis.
OVERTON SQUARE PERFORMING ARTS District
Playhouse on the Square
Playhouse on the Square is the city’s professional resident theater, anchoring the Overton Square Performing Arts District.
Catch Broadway and off-Broadway productions during the theater's 57th season, including JAGGED LITTLE PILL (Jan. 23–Feb. 22, 2026), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (April 24–May 17, 2026) and SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (June 12–July 12, 2026).
See Playhouse on the Square's full schedule here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
Elevate your evening at the theater with a southern steakhouse experience at Porch & Parlor, a NOLA inspired meal at The Second Line or hit Overton Square's rooftop bar and restaurant: Tiger & Peacock.
Circuit Playhouse & TheaterWorks
For more art-house fare, intimate dramas and musicals and original productions, head to Playhouse’s affiliate theaters, The Circuit Playhouse and TheaterWorks @ The Square.
Hattiloo Theatre
Hattiloo Theatre is the only freestanding Black repertory theatre in five surrounding states, offering an incredibly unique performing arts experience in the heart of Memphis’ Overton Square Performing Arts District. Each season brings powerful productions such as Dreamgirls and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Look for original productions by Hattiloo’s founder Ekundayo Bandele and award-winning playwright Katori Hall. See the schedule here. The theater is celebrating its 20th season in 2026-27, so stay tuned for lineup and event announcements at the conclusion of Season 19 early this summer.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
After the show, enjoy a local beer at Boscos Squared or wind down with imported cheeses and a cocktail from one of Bari Ristorante’s talented mixologists down the street.
Hattiloo Theatre, a performing-arts venue supporting Black playwrights, musicians, and actors, is in its 19 season. This lineup features upcoming productions like Dreamgirls (Jan. 30 - March 8, 2026) and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (April 10 - May 10, 2026).
Ballet Memphis
Memphis’ professional ballet company beckons performing arts lovers to its midtown home in Overton Square. The modern architecture of this community and performance space was unveiled in mid-2017. See performances from Ballet Memphis’ 39th season at the Overton Square studio, GPAC and the Orpheum Theatre.
Opera Memphis
Opera Memphis is one of the other stellar organizations you'll find performing at Playhouse on the Square, among other locations that include the Crosstown Theater, Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center and Canon Center for the Performing Arts. Their 2025-26 season includes The Barber of Seville, Sweeney Todd, Verdi's Requiem and more. 2026 marks another major anniversary in the Memphis arts community, as Opera Memphis is celebrating its 70th season this year.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
With a boutique hotel and some of the city's most authentic eats, drinks and shops, you can easily plan a weekend getaway to Memphis' Overton Square Performing Arts District.
Collage Memphis
As one of the largest dance companies in the country, Collage Memphis increases the diversity of dance with expanded access to classical training to communities of color. Through their state-of-the-art facility, Collage provides more programming including adult classes. The annual Memphis Dance Festival is one of the largest free celebrations of dance complete with performances.
EAST/SUBURBS
Germantown Performing Arts Center
Venture outside of the city core to Germantown for even more unique theater options. The Germantown Performing Arts Center, or GPAC, is one of the finest spaces in the region to find performances of musicians, dancers, singers and actors. With nearly perfect acoustics, GPAC’s season is often an eclectic collection of performers, including classical, jazz, singer-songwriter, swing-revival and kid-friendly artists. You can also enjoy theatre, live music, movies and more in a park-like setting at The Grove, GPAC's outdoor event space. The Grove features a food truck area and covered bar, and can accommodate about 1,200 guests.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
If you haven’t checked off The Germantown Commissary off your list of Memphis barbecue to try, this is the perfect time to do so. For an upscale pre-theater dinner, visit the Southern Social fine dining restaurant in the heart of Germantown.
Theatre Memphis
Don’t underestimate the talent and charm of Memphis' longstanding community theatre when it comes to heartfelt drama and fun, beloved musicals. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Theatre Memphis recently completed major renovations, including a redesigned lobby and a larger common area. View Theatre Memphis' 2025-26 season here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
Take your theater date to dinner at Memphis-favorite Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen for inventive, award-winning Italian cuisine, or go for artisan cocktails and modern American fare at Acre.
Tennessee Shakespeare Company
See live performances of the works of Williams Shakespeare in Cordova from the Tennessee Shakespeare Company. Catch classics like The Taming of the Shrew (January 30–February 15, 2026) and Romeo and Juliet (March 19–29, 2026), as well as works from other famed playwrights and composers, from this professional troupe. See the full Tennessee Shakespeare Company schedule here.
Eat, Drink & Stay Nearby:
While in Cordova, stop into the taproom at Meddlesome Brewing Company for craft brews, like the 201 Hoplar IPA and Broad Hammer brown ale. While the brewery doesn't serve food, you'll find food trucks parked right outside the taproom almost every night of the week.
Should you choose to come for the theater and stay for all things Memphis, check out these area hotels.
Art museums, galleries, Broadway shows, arts and entertainment districts, and upcoming events — discover Memphis' lively arts scene.
Performing Arts Events Coming to Memphis
Opera, ballet, classical music, live Broadway shows, and other productions make for a sensational cultural experience. Discover dazzling sights and sounds, soak up the storylines, and laugh until your side hurts. Find performances that will leave you breathless:
