Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Historic Theatre & Arts Center in Charles Town, WV
Founded in 1911, Old Opera House has served as a cultural cornerstone in Charles Town, West Virginia, for over a century. Our mission is to excite and involve the community in all aspects of performing and visual arts through live theatre, educational programs, and community engagement. We present six main stage productions annually, including a summer family production, a one-act play festival, and a biennial ballet, while offering arts education through our Acting, Dance, and Voice studios. Our historic venue, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, seats 328 patrons and frequently sells out, particularly for musical productions. Old Opera House Arts Centre provides classes for children and adults in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and Broadway-style dance, alongside acting and vocal training.Our New Voice Play Festival, established in 2001, showcases emerging playwrights and attracts submissions nationwide. Supported by three volunteer groups, we maintain a commitment to preserving history while fostering artistic growth. Our team of experienced instructors and staff ensures high-quality programming that develops respect for the arts and individual potential. As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, we rely on community support and partnerships to sustain our operations and expand our impact.
Services
Live theatre productions
Arts education classes
Playwriting festivals
Ballet performances
Community workshops
Details
- Year established: 1911
Highlights and features
- Over 100 years of cultural contribution to the community since 1911
- Diverse programming including theatre, dance, and arts education
- Award-winning New Voice Play Festival showcasing emerging playwrights
- Experienced instructors with professional backgrounds in performing arts
- Historic venue offering immersive arts experiences in a landmark setting
Associations and certifications
- National Register of Historic Places
- 501(c)3 non-profit organization
What people say
Exceptional community theater
Engaging youth programs
Historic venue charm
Professional-grade performances
Dedicated instructors
Services
Live Theatre Productions
Old Opera House presents six main stage productions annually, including dramas, comedies, and musicals. Our season features diverse works ranging from classic plays to contemporary pieces, with special summer youth productions and biennial ballets. Each show benefits from professional direction, local talent, and historic venue ambiance.
Arts Education Classes
Our Arts Centre offers structured instruction in acting, dance, and voice for children and adults. Classes include ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, Broadway-style dance, scene study, improvisation, and vocal technique training. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention from experienced instructors.
New Voice Play Festival
This annual festival showcases original one-act plays submitted nationwide. A selection committee narrows entries to four finalists, which are performed live for audience voting. The event supports emerging playwrights and brings fresh theatrical works to our stage.
Community Engagement Programs
We offer volunteer opportunities through groups like the Theatre Guild and Op Shop, plus backstage/tech crew positions for productions. Our Jean Heiler Gallery displays local visual art, and we host annual arts soirees connecting regional artists with the community.
Historic Venue Rentals
The restored 1911 theatre accommodates performances, weddings, and special events. Features include original architectural details, 328-seat capacity, and modern technical capabilities. Rental packages include staff support and access to our historic ambiance.
People
Heather Mae Wilson
Voice & Youth Choir Instructor
With 15 years of teaching experience, Heather holds a Master of Music Education and specializes in vocal training. She focuses on helping youth build confidence through music while continuing her own performance career.
Christina Franz
Ballet & Point Dance Instructor
A professional dancer trained under Broadway legends, Christina brings 30+ years of teaching experience. She studied at prestigious institutions like the Eglevsky Ballet and Broadway Dance Center.
Deswell Carr
Hip Hop & Preschool Dance Instructor
Trained at Charles Town Dance Studio, Deswell has taught since 2012. He also choreographs for Washington High School and brings energetic expertise to early dance education.
Heather Toma Carr
Ballet & Jazz Dance Instructor
A former principal dancer in 'Nixon in China,' Heather toured internationally and worked with Ringling Bros. Circus. She combines professional performance experience with youth dance education.
Questions
How can I purchase tickets for performances?
Tickets can be reserved by calling 304.725.4420 or purchased online through our website's event calendar.
What educational programs do you offer?
We provide acting, dance, and voice lessons for children and adults through our Old Opera House Arts Centre studios.
Are there volunteer opportunities available?
Yes! Join our Theatre Guild, Op Shop, or OOHLaLas groups to support productions and community initiatives.
How can local artists participate in exhibitions?
The Jean Heiler Gallery showcases local visual artists, with annual calls for submissions coordinated with main stage productions.
Do you offer group discounts for performances?
Group pricing is available for select shows - contact the box office for details and reservations.
What accessibility features are available?
Our venue includes wheelchair-accessible seating and assistive listening devices for patrons' convenience.
Reviews (7)
John Hitchcock
Dec 04, 2021
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Great little venue! A local treasure. Well worth supporting and enjoying a night out with friends and family.
Heather Wood
Aug 13, 2021
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A great cultural experience, right in the heart of the town. I'm always amazed at how wonderfully the actors and actresses perform. I've watched comedy, drama, holiday classics and even children performances there, and I've never been disappointed. It's a must-do activity!
Mr. Bashar
Oct 25, 2020
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The original opera house in Frankfurt is now the Alte Oper (Old Opera), a concert hall and former opera house in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It was inaugurated in 1880 but destroyed by bombs in 1944. It was rebuilt, slowly, in the 1970s, opening again in 1981. Many important operas were performed for the first time in Frankfurt, including Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in 1937. The square in front of the building is known as Opernplatz (Opera Square). The Alte Oper is located in the inner city district, Innenstadt, within the banking district Bankenviertel. The Oper Frankfurt now plays in the Opern
Kristina Johnson
Dec 28, 2019
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Always such great talent and amazing performances. Such a tremendous asset to our community. My memories go back 40 years, from taking ballet to attending my first play in 1981, just 9 years old.
Bradley Melnyk
Oct 24, 2019
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I very much enjoyed the show me and my gf went to see at christmas time, it was "its a wonderful life". Great production and cast, enjoyed it very much.
Mark Mann
Nov 20, 2018
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The play was incredible. Local actors are great and we loved "James and the giant peach" If you have a chance catch a play.
Heather Scribner
Sep 13, 2018
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I recently joined the youth choir here, and it's wonderful. I'm glad I finally have a real choir teacher. The staff is very sweet.
