Step into the spotlight of Greenville's vibrant theater scene, where the stage is set for an enchanting mix of drama, comedy, and musical brilliance. Our comprehensive theater roundup takes you on a journey through fifteen theaters and theater companies, each offering a unique theatrical experience in the heart of Greenville, SC.
The Show Must Go On: Greenville's Theatrical Encore
Greenville’s theaters invite you to escape into fantasyland, delve into drama, and laugh out loud with one great live performance after another. Whether it’s fresh off Broadway, a familiar favorite, or something edgy and unexpected, Greenville’s fifteen theaters and theater companies are just the ticket.
Choose Your Performance
DOWNTOWN'S MAJOR PLAYERS
Back to TopBig Names
🎭 THE SPOT
Peace Center
300 S. Main St. (Downtown)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 2,100-Seat Concert Hall
- 400-Seat Gunter Theatre
🍿 THE PROGRAM
This world-class venue hosts a dynamic mix of performances—from Broadway shows like Hamilton and STOMP to an eclectic mix of acclaimed instrumentalists, authors, comedians, vocalists, and bands. The Peace Center stage is where you’ll also enjoy performances by the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Carolina Ballet Theatre, International Ballet, Greenville Chorale, South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts & Humanities, and other arts partners. It's also a favorite Greenville concert venue for mainstream artists rolling through on tours. Regardless of what kind of entertainment you're seeking, the Peace Center has something for everyone!
Famous Favorites
🎭 THE SPOT
Greenville Theatre
444 College St. (Heritage Green)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 571 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
This is the place for feel-good favorites. Musical tributes to bands like The Beatles and The Temptations are standard fare at the Greenville Theatre. Comedies such as The Producers and Mamma Mia! make up the majority of the mainstage productions, along with Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie whodunits.
All About Variety
🎭 THE SPOT
Centre Stage
501 River St. (Downtown)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 285 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
If you love local theater, you’ll definitely find something to like here, from original revues to timeless hits like Godspell and The Color Purple. Centre Stage also features new works from South Carolina-affiliated writers, sourced through the theater’s annual New Play Festival Competition.
FOR THE FAMILY
Back to TopFirst Acts
🎭 THE SPOT
South Carolina Children's Theatre
153 Augusta St. (Downtown/West End Historic District)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- Bell Stage: 299 Seats
- Younts Stage: 120 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
As the largest children’s theater in South Carolina, SCCT's Bell Stage is where to find serious and inspired thespians knock shows such as Annie and Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat right out of the park. The Younts Stage offers more intimate productions at lower price points for audience members as young as 18 months of age.
Family Front-Runner
🎭 THE SPOT
The Logos Theatre
80 School St., Taylors
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 300 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
With a focus on the historical, classical, and Biblical, The Logos Theatre provides entertainment focusing on family values. Presenting state-of-the-art productions from the Chronicles of Narnia to newly imagined takes on old favorites, this stage is one that always offers an inventive spin for the whole family.
Theater for All Ages
🎭 THE SPOT
Mauldin Theatre Company
Mauldin Cultural Center, 101 E. Butler Rd., Mauldin
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 220 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
As a part of the Mauldin Cultural Center, this theater company presents the likes of In the Heights and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, in addition to rockin’ musical revues. The Center is also home to the Mauldin Youth Theatre, which has brought down the house with shows such as CATS: Young Actors Edition and The Lion King, JR.
Local Talent
🎭 THE SPOT
Greer Children's Theatre
804 Trade St., Greer (and other venues)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 150 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
One of the Greer Cultural Arts Council’s most popular programs, the GCT performs three musicals at different venues in Greer, the primary one being the Edward R. Driggers City of Greer Center for the Arts. Auditions are open to area youth and teens to appear in such shows as High School Musical JR. and Frozen JR.
EDGY OFFERINGS
Back to TopCommunity Conscience
🎭 THE SPOT
GLOW Lyric Theatre
Fred Collins Performing Arts Stage at the Kroc Center, 424 Westfield St. (West Greenville)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 280 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
This fusion of opera, operetta, and musical theater is for true music fans. GLOW stages unique performances as part of their Raising Voices Series—utilizing theater for confrontation and celebration, and driving social change. Don’t be surprised if GLOW headliners and newspaper headlines seem very similar, as the troupe prides itself on being socially relevant.
Daring Drama
🎭 THE SPOT
The Warehouse Theatre
37 Augusta St. (Downtown/West End Historic District)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- Varies by Show; 125 Seats Maximum
🍿 THE PROGRAM
As a Black Box Theater, The Warehouse is all about innovative, think-outside-the-box performances. It’s the place to encounter a surprising take on Shakespeare and the classics, as well as world premieres like Power of Sail, and contemporary storytelling in Native Gardens.
Diverse Voices
🎭 THE SPOT
Proud Mary Theatre Company
Various Upstate Venues
🏛️ THE SIZE
- N/A
🍿 THE PROGRAM
In the absence of its founder, Sandy Staggs, who passed away in early 2023, Proud Mary continues its mission of presenting LGBT+ voices to Upstate South Carolina. This award-winning nonprofit company stages everything from dramas and comedies to avant-garde pieces, all of which honor stories of diversity and acceptance.
JUST FOR LAUGHS
Back to TopComedy Café
🎭 THE SPOT
Café And Then Some
101 College St., Suite 1A (Downtown/North Main Area)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 120 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
Prepare yourself for inside jokes for locals, by locals. This engaging dinner theater prides itself on being able to address the many facets, neighborhoods, and subcultures that make up the greater Greenville community—and everyone is fair game! It’s a great place to enjoy a good meal and a hearty laugh.
Covert Cabaret
🎭 THE SPOT
Theater Underground
Coffee Underground, 1 E. Coffee St. (Downtown)
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 70 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
Weekly house staples include Sunday “church” with the Say What?! Poetry Slam and Open Mic produced by Wit's End Poetry; No Expectations Comedy; and Alchemy Comedy Theater’s improv, stand-up, and sketch shows. These small-scale labors of love are put on by some of Greenville’s most talented creatives.
THEATER OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Back to TopBig Entertainment
🎭 THE SPOT
Mill Town Players
Historic Pelzer Auditorium, 214 Lebby St., Pelzer
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 679 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
“Big-city entertainment at small-town prices” is the mantra of this community theater, based in Pelzer. Featuring a repertoire including shows such as A Streetcar Named Desire and Hello Dolly, as well as rock and country music concerts, the Mill Town Players enrich their community by making quality live theater affordable.
Suburban Selection
🎭 THE SPOT
Younts Center for Performing Arts
315 N. Main St., Fountain Inn
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 418 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
If you’re looking for music, theater, and dance that may not be on the mainstream stage, check out the Younts Center for Performing Arts. Located in Fountain Inn, the Younts Center celebrates the best of Broadway and rocking musical revues, featuring unique acts that you aren’t likely to find anywhere else.
Homegrown Theater
🎭 THE SPOT
Simpsonville Arts Center
110 Academy St., Simpsonville
🏛️ THE SIZE
- 380 Seats
🍿 THE PROGRAM
Once the Simpsonville Elementary School, the Simpsonville Arts Center showcases performances from the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, Clark Nesbitt’s No Dreams Deferred productions unlimited, Cornerstone Ballet, and more!
SOUTH CAROLINA NEW PLAY FESTIVAL
Back to TopSC New Play Festival
August 8-11, 2024
Debuting in 2022, the SC New Play Festival shines a spotlight on new plays and musicals from established and emerging playwrights across the U.S. Every night of the four-day event brings a different performance—staged readings of new plays and musicals, panel discussions with Broadway producers—in a different venue in downtown Greenville. The festival winds up with a closing-night cabaret featuring a Broadway star.
