Theatre in Kansas City

Kansas City Embraces the Performing Arts

When many people hear the word “theatre,” they may think of the glitz and glam of a Broadway show, or of New York City or Chicago in particular. However, there are many cities around the country with thriving theatre scenes, including Kansas City. From the cutting edge shows of The Unicorn, to the major commercial shows of Starlight Theatre, and even a dinner theatre in the New Theatre, Kansas City has a great deal of variety to offer to those interested in the performing arts. In addition to this, there are several well-regarded theatre programs in the area, such as Avila’s own theatre program, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Johnson County Community College, and Rockhurst University.

Kansas City has had a thriving theatre scene for quite some time, with the oldest theatre being the historic Folly Theater, which was established in 1900 as a vaudeville theatre, hosting acts such as the Marx Brothers and Humphrey Bogart. For many years, the Folly was home to a number of burlesque troupes, but now hosts a wide array of performing acts – from live theatre to jazz performances to national touring shows. However, there are many more theatres in Kansas City, serving a variety of different niches. The Starlight Theatre hosts major touring shows, such as Hamilton and Love Never Dies. The Unicorn Theatre focus on more contemporary dramas, such as its next show – Informed Consent. The Fishtank Theatre focuses more on devised, minimalistic theatre. The Coterie aims for a younger audience, bringing in elementary and middle school aged viewers. This variety in theatre types has allowed smaller theatres to thrive and build audiences based on their preferences, without the cutthroat competition that plagues some larger cities. Audiences are never in short supply of productions, with most nights offering a number of possibilities for theatre fans. Although Kansas City’s theatre scene is small, it has never been stronger than it is now.