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(Registration is encouraged, but not required)

Houston Theater District is thrilled to bring back Theater District Open House for the first time since 2019! Generously sponsored by ExxonMobil, this event truly captures the heart and soul of the performing arts in Houston and celebrates our community’s rich cultural diversity.  Join us for an afternoon of performances, activities, and experiences – all free and open to guests of all ages! Brought to you by the performing arts companies and venues of the district, we are excited to see this vibrant tradition return.

The current event schedule is below. The day is designed as a choose your own arts adventure! Please come and explore all the Houston Theater District has to offer!

Open House Hourly Schedule

12:00-1:00 PM

12:00-12:30

  • Lynn Wyatt Square: Welcome Remarks and Houston Symphony Brass Fanfare

12:30-1:00

  • Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Large Studio: Theatre Under The Stars Stage Ready Review

  • Lynn Wyatt Square: Theatre Under The Stars Musicals in Motion

  • Jones Hall Stage: Step into the Spotlight, Guests are welcome to step onto the Jones Hall stage for a photo!

12:30-12:50

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Latino Theater presented by ALMAAHH

  • Wortham Theater Cullen Theater: Members of Mercury Chamber Orchestra performing Baroque and Classical Favorites

 12:30-1:15

  • Wortham Theater Grand Foyer: Performing Arts Houston Prelude Performers

12:45-1:15

  • Alley Theatre Hubbard Stage: Mariachi Band Performance

1:00-2:00 PM

1:00-1:20

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Houston Contemporary Dance Company Performance

  • Wortham Theater Cullen Theater: DACAMERA presents Brooke Wyatt Jazz Trio

1:00-1:30

  • Jones Hall Stage: Step into the Spotlight, Guests are welcome to step onto the Jones Hall stage for a photo!

  • Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance: Excerpts from Sleeping Beauty by Houston Ballet II

  • Wortham Theater Grand Foyer: DACAMERA Musical Caricatures with Composer Gavin Goodrich

1:00-1:45

  • Lynn Wyatt Square: Houston Grand Opera presents an Opera to Go! performance of Mo Willem’s Bite-Size Operas!

  • Jones Hall Stage: Step into the Spotlight, Guests are welcome to step onto the Jones Hall stage for a photo!

1:30-1:50

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Ensemble Theater Performance

  • Wortham Theater Cullen Theater: Kinder HSPVA Chamber Music Piano Trio with music by Shostakovich and Shchedrin

1:30-2:00

  • Alley Theatre Hubbard Stage: Stage Combat Demonstration

  • Humphreys School of Musical Theatre: Theatre Under The Stars Musicals in Motion 

  • Wortham Theater Grand Foyer: DACAMERA Musical Caricatures with Composer Gavin Goodrich

  • Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance: Multigenerational Movement Class by Houston Ballet

2:00-3:00 PM

2:00-2:20

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Ars Lyrica Houston Performance

  • Wortham Theater Cullen Theater: DACAMERA presents Adam W. Sadberry, flute; Chloe de Souza, piano

2:00-2:30

  • Wortham Theater Grand Foyer: DACAMERA Musical Caricatures with Composer Gavin Goodrich

  • Jones Hall Stage: Performing Arts Houston Dance with the Houston Symphony ensemble

2:15-2:45

  • Alley Theatre Hubbard Stage: Creating The Glass Menagerie

2:30-2:50

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Latino Theater presented by ALMAAHH

  • Wortham Theater Cullen Theater: DACAMERA Hear Your Musical Caricatures performed by violinist Julie Lin

2:30-3:00

  • Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Large Studio: Theatre Under The Stars Broadway Glam

  • Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance: Excerpts from Sleeping Beauty by Houston Ballet II 

2:45-3:15

  • Lynn Wyatt Square: Houston Grand Opera presents Storybook Opera

3:00-4:00 PM

3:00-3:20

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Apollo Chamber Players Performance

3:00-3:30

  • Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance: Multigenerational Movement Class by Houston Ballet

  • Alley Theatre Hubbard Stage: 25/26 Season Highlights

3:00-4:00

  • The Hobby Center Grand Lobby: Family Dance Workshop with a Cast Member of HAMILTON

3:30-3:50

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Urban Souls Dance Company Performance

  • Wortham Theater Cullen Theater: Kinder HSPVA Jazz Combo Performance

3:30-4:00

  • Humphreys School of Musical Theatre Large Studio: Theatre Under The Stars Taste of Summer Camps

  • Lynn Wyatt Square: Performing Arts Houston Dance Workshop with YUNGCHRIS

  • Jones Hall Stage: Step into the Spotlight, Guests are welcome to step onto the Jones Hall stage for a photo!

3:45-4:15

  • Alley Theatre Hubbard Stage: Slam Poets

4:00-5:00 PM

4:00-4:20

  • Wortham Theater Cullen Theater: American Festival for the Arts Performance

4:00-4:30

  • Lynn Wyatt Square: Performing Arts Houston Dance Workshop with YUNGCHRIS

4:00-4:45

  • Jones Hall Stage: Step into the Spotlight, Guests are welcome to step onto the Jones Hall stage for a photo! 

4:15-4:45

  • The Hobby Center Zilkha Hall: Theatre Under The Stars present Broadway Family Fun

5:00-6:00 PM

Alley Theatre Skyview Lounge: Join the Theater District community for a post-work Happy Hour and spectacular views from the Alley Theatre! Recommended for 21 and up.

Resident Company Performance & Activity Details

Download the current Theater District Open House schedule and map of Venues & Parking!

  • Houston’s own professional theatre the Alley Theatre has been bringing dynamic seasons of reimagined classics and new works since 1947. The Alley’s Open House offerings include Slam Poets, a sneak preview of the upcoming 2025-26 season, a stage combat demonstration on the Hubbard Stage, backstage tours of the Meredith J. Long Theatre Center, an inside look at creatingThe Glass Menagerie!

  • DACAMERA is internationally recognized as a leading producer and presenter of chamber music and jazz, committed to bringing its audiences transformative musical experiences. DACAMERA celebrates Theater District Open House with a variety of activities in the Wortham Theater Center including performances by the Brooke Wyatt Jazz Trio and a chamber music offering from Adam Sadberry, flute, and Chloe de Souza, piano. Stop by the Grand Foyer to have composer Gavin Goodrich write your musical caricature, then hear it performed live by violinist Julie Lin at 2:30 p.m. in the Cullen Theater.

  • The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts serves as a connector, convenor, and incubator for all Houston audiences, artmakers, and arts organizations. A presenter of engaging performances and educational programs, the Hobby Center brings varied offerings to the 2025 Open House Schedule.  Visit Zilkha Hall for a full performance day featuring Latino Theater presented by ALMAAHH, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Ensemble Theatre, Apollo Chamber Players, Ars Lyrica Houston, and Urban Souls Dance Company.  Other offerings on the Hobby campus include Story Hour, backstage tours, arts and crafts, food trucks in the valet lane, and a Family Dance Workshop with a Cast Member of HAMILTON!

  • With over 50 years of rich history, Houston Ballet presents world-class performances each season and fosters a love for dance in future generations through its Academy and Education and Community Engagement programs.  Theater District Open House plans include performances and classes to showcase all the company offers Houston year-round.  Visit Houston Ballet throughout the day at the Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance for performance excerpts from Sleeping Beauty, a multigenerational movement class, behind the scenes tours, activities and crafts, and boutique sales. Travel across the street to the Wortham Center for tours of the Brown Theater house, an archival display, ticket sales, and much more!

  • The mission of Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera through creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. Theater District Open House guests can engage with these experiences through HGO's community and learning programs Opera to Go! and Storybook Opera featured onstage at Lynn Wyatt Square along with an information and ticket sales table.

  • Houston Symphony’s mission is to inspire and engage a large and diverse audience through exceptional musical performances, and to create enduring impact in our community.  Experience all the Symphony has to offer at Open House with a brass fanfare at Lynn Wyatt Square, and visit Jones Hall to interact via an instrument petting zoo, venue tours, chamber performances, discount ticket sales, and more!

    • How to get to Jones Hall for the Performing Arts: Google Map

    • Visit Houston Symphony Online

  • Founded in 1966 to present performances and learning experiences featuring exceptional artists from around the world, Performing Arts Houston’s (PAH) mission is to amplify the arts. A regular presenter at venues across the theater district, PAH’s offerings for Theater District Open House are no exception. Visit Lynn Wyatt Square for an interactive dance workshop with Houston’s own YUNGCHRIS. At Jones Hall, PAH presents a visual arts activity with Chris Maldonado, a dance collaboration accompanied by musicians from Houston Symphony and interaction through venue tours, step and repeat and show poster photo opportunities, as well as ticket discounts, giveaways, and more! Finally, two mini performances from the Prelude Performers at the Wortham Theater Center are not to be missed!

  • Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s nonprofit home for musical theatre presenting the highest quality Broadway productions created right here in Houston and award-winning camps and classes for beginners to the Broadway-bound.  

     Step into the spotlight with TUTS and the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre in their Large Studio at the Hobby Center for Stage Ready Review, Broadway Glam, and a taste of Summer Camp fun. Broadway Family Fun lights up the Zilkha Stage at the Hobby Center and everyone is invited to sing, dance, and move to the music with Musicals in Motion at Lynn Wyatt Square.

Event, Parking, Food & Beverage Details

  • Theater District Open House discounted garage self-parking is available at the following area garages:

    • Theater District Garage – $5 discounted parking available from 11:00-5:30. The discounted rate is available at any Theater District Garage entrance. Any attendee that leaves the garage and later re-enters will need to pull a new ticket and pay. 

    • Lyric Garage– 3 hours of free parking available with purchase from Lyric Market.

    • Hobby Center Garage – A limited number of free parking spots available.

  • Theater District Open House (TDOH) will feature a number of food and beverage options for purchase during your visit.

  • What parking arrangements are available at the venue?

    Parking is available at a number of convenient locations including:

    ·       The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts – a limited number of free parking spots are available

    ·       The Lyric Garage – 3 hours of free parking is available with any purchase from the Lyric Market.

    ·       Theater District Garages - $5 rate will be available to attendees from 11:00am until 5:30pm.  This rate will be available from any entry.  Any attendee that leaves the garage and later re-enters will need to take a new ticket and pay again.

    What time does Open House it start? Theater District Open House kick-off ceremony is scheduled at noon in Lynn Wyatt Square (600 Louisiana Street – The park is across Louisiana Street from Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts (commonly known as Jones Hall) and squared by Texas Avenue on the North, Capitol Street on the South, and Smith Street on the West.).

    Can I get dropped off? Ride share drop-off and pick-up are easily accessible throughout the area.

    When do gates/doors open? Guests may arrive at Lynn Wyatt Square beginning at 11:30 a.m.  Doors will open at all other venues at 12:30.  This includes Jones Hall, Alley Theatre, Wortham Theater, Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance, and The Hobby Center.

    What’s the address of the event entrance? A map of the Theater District Venues with addresses for each location is linked above.

    Is public transportation available?Located in the heart of Downtown Houston, the Theater District’s central location makes it easy for visitors to ride, drive, bike or walk to access. Public transportation routes via Metro and Metrorail are available.

    Do I need a ticket to the event? No ticket is required to attend in the activities planned as part of Theater District Open House.  A full schedule of free performances and family events is included on the website.

    Where do I go to register or check in? No check-in is required. 

    Can I come and go? Yes!  Guests are invited to join the kick-off at Lynn Wyatt Square from 12:00-12:30, then are encouraged to create their own arts adventure through each of the Theater District venues from 12:30-5:00.

    What food options are available?Concessions are available for purchase at The Hobby Center, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Lynn Wyatt. Square, and Alley Theatre Skylight Lounge.  The Lyric Food Hall (411 Smith Street) is offering a 15% discount to all Open House attendees with a copy of the event program.  Event programs will be distributed at each of the venues.

    What are the Happy Hour details?

    Join the Theater District community from 5:00-6:00 p.m. for a post-work Happy Hour and spectacular views from the Alley Theatre’s Skyline Bar (located on the 2nd floor)! Recommended for 21 and up, lounge capacity of 800.

    Is there a booth where I can get more information?  Yes!  The Houston Theater District Booth will be on Fish Plaza at the entrance to the Wortham Theater Center. 

    Will there be a designated quiet space anywhere at Open House?

    Should a guest need a calm space free from excessive noise and activity, there will be a Quiet Zone in the Green Room of the Wortham Theater Center. To locate the Green Room, take the escalator to the Grand Foyer and down the stairs at the back of the Foyer.

    Are restrooms available at the event? Public restrooms are accessible at each venue: The Hobby Center, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Lynn Wyatt. Square, and Alley Theatre, and Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance.

  • Please note, event attendees may be photographed or recorded for promotional use by Houston Theater District and Open House participating partners.

Free performances and family friendly activities!

The doors of all the iconic spaces of the Houston Theater District will be open and free to the public and activated with performances, interactive activities, showcases, and so much more for the 2025 ExxonMobil Theater District Open House. Visit us at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston Ballet’s Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance, Lynn Wyatt Square, Jones Hall, TUTS Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, and Wortham Theater Center!

Connect with us

Send us a message at info@houstontheaterdistrict.org