Check out these 10 places where you can enjoy theater in Ohio
Had William Shakespeare been a Buckeye, one of his most famous quotes might read, “All Ohio’s a stage.”
The bard would have been spot-on, as the state is home to countless yearly theater productions. As of 2021, the Greater Columbus area alone boasted more than 70 theater producers, including tour presenters, professional and semiprofessional companies, college programs and community theaters.
Whether you’re looking for a big-city playhouse production, a small-stage community play, open-air performances or any other theatrical endeavors, you don’t have to head to New York or Chicago to see them. Ohio has it all.
Here is a list of 10 places around the state to catch a comedy, dive into a drama and marvel at a musical. Some are right here in town, while others require a short road trip, but what you’ll spend on gas will be paid back in quality entertainment.
Actors’ Theatre of Columbus
Schiller Park Amphitheater, 1000 City Park Ave., German Village, 614-444-6888; theactorstheatre.org
Actors’ Theatre of Columbus, which offers free openair theater, was founded by Gary and Patricia Ellson in 1982 when a single production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” kicked off its first season on a simple concrete band shell. A permanent stage was built on the site in 1995.
Ashtabula Arts Center
2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula, 440-964-3396; ashtabulaartscenter.org This nonprofit fine arts center includes the 13th Street Theatre and the summer Straw Hat Theatre, which offers performances of popular shows almost every weekend of the year.
The venue hosts a variety of 13th Street shows, including musicals, dramas and comedies, family shows and shows for mature audiences. Straw Hat productions, held through August, are all musicals and usually familyfriendly, though occasional shows for mature audiences are featured.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
4015 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, 513-569-8080; thechildrenstheatre.com
TCT, which dates back to 1919, attracts more than 80,000 patrons annually and reaches more than 68,000 students with its touring productions. It is the only professional theater in the region that devotes its entire Mainstage season to children.
Mainstage shows are currently produced in the Taft Theatre, which is to relocate to Cincinnati’s iconic Emery Theater, which TCT purchased last year. More than $47 million of the $51.5-million goal has been raised to renovate and reimagine the landmark theater.
Cleveland Play House at Playhouse Square
1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216400-7000; clevelandplayhouse.com
Founded in 1915, the Cleveland Play House is America’s first professional regional theater. Playhouse Square includes the Allen, Helen and Outcalt theaters, where a diverse range of shows are staged. More than 12 million theatergoers have attended 1,600-plus productions. Cleveland Play House received the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award.
Columbus Children’s Theatre
177 E. Naghten St., 614-224-6673; columbuschildrenstheatre.org
Columbus Children’s Theatre has offered various programs to people of all ages since 1963. Located near the North Market, the organization stages approximately six productions annually. CCT has been a professional touring company bringing live theater to Ohio schools since 1972.
In addition to a year-round academy where budding thespians in grades K-8 can learn about and practice their craft, CCT offers camps, classes, private instruction and school programs.
Little Theatre Off Broadway
3981 Broadway, Grove City, 614-8753919; ltob.org
Little Theatre Off Broadway is tiny — it has fewer than 90 seats — but it packs in crowds to see productions like “Titanic.”
The theater features six live shows each season and is known for big-time talent and small-town intimacy.
‘The Living Word’ outdoor drama
6010 College Hill Road, Cambridge, 740-439-2761; livingworddrama.org
The Living Word, Ohio’s only outdoor Passion play, chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ on a 400-foot panoramic set and offers reenactments of the Sermon on the Mount, the Palm Sunday Entrance, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and the Ascension. The play is performed on Friday evenings through Sept. 27 and on Aug. 17. The venue is closed on Aug. 30.
Players Guild Theatre
6000 Frank Ave. NW, North Canton, 330-244-3224; playersguildtheatre.com
Founded in 1932, the volunteer-run theater is recognized as one of the oldest continually operating theaters in the nation. From its humble beginnings in a high school facility, the Players Guild has grown over the decades and is now housed in the Fine Arts Building at Kent State University at Stark. The guild has presented over 600 productions in front of more than 2 million audience members.
‘Tecumseh!’ outdoor drama
Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre, 5968 Marietta Road, Chillicothe, 866-775-0700; tecumsehdrama.com
The seasonal outdoor drama about the titular legendary Shawnee leader is written by seven-time Pulitzer Prize nominee and Emmy recipient Allan W. Eckert. It tells the life story of Tecumseh as he fights to defend his sacred homelands. Since its premiere in 1973, “Tecumseh!” has drawn more than 3 million visitors. Performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays through Aug. 31, plus a Sunday show on Sept. 1.
‘Trumpet In the Land’ outdoor drama
Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre, 1600 Trumpet Drive NE, New Philadelphia, 330-364-5111; trumpetintheland.com
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green, “Trumpet in the Land” brings to life the story of David Zeisberger, a Moravian minister who has just arrived in the Ohio Valley in 1772 with dreams of building the first settlement in the wilderness.
When the Revolutionary War breaks out, Zeisberger and his followers refuse to take sides, leading to a horrific incident that President Teddy Roosevelt called “a stain on the frontier character that time cannot wash away.” Performances are on varying days through Aug. 17.
bpaschal@dispatch.com