Lutcher Theater facts for kids
| Address | 707 Main Street Orange, Texas United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 30°05′30″N 93°44′09″W / 30.09159°N 93.73596°W |
| Owner | Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation |
| Capacity | 1,450 |
| Opened | 1980 |
The Lutcher Theater is a special place in Orange, Texas, where people can watch amazing shows. It's a big theater with 1,450 seats. It opened in 1980 and is a non-profit organization, meaning it focuses on its mission rather than making money. Many people, about 30,000 every year, come to enjoy performances here. It's known as the biggest performing arts series between Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana.
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What Makes Lutcher Theater Special?
The Lutcher Theater building is six stories tall. It is the tallest building in downtown Orange. Inside, there are 1,450 seats for the audience. About 870 seats are on the main floor. The other 567 seats are in the balcony upstairs.
Stage and Sound System
The stage is very large, measuring 45 feet wide and 30 feet high. It's deep too, at almost 36 feet. There is a special area called the orchestra pit. This pit can be lowered if more space is needed for the audience. The theater has a modern sound system. It uses EAW AX series speakers. These speakers are placed on the left, right, and center of the stage.
Accessibility for Everyone
The Lutcher Theater wants everyone to enjoy the shows. It is designed to be accessible for people with disabilities. They also offer special headphones. These headphones help people who have trouble hearing.
Amazing Performances at Lutcher Theater
Since it first opened in February 1980, the Lutcher Theater has hosted many famous performers. The very first show featured the legendary Liberace. The theater is a popular spot for all kinds of performing arts. You can see traveling Broadway plays. There are also musical groups and one-person shows.
Famous Artists and Shows
Many well-known artists and productions have performed here. Here is a list of some of them:
- Chris Botti
- Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
- Jim Brickman
- Marcel Marceau
- Ray Charles
- Victor Borge
- The Pirates of Penzance
- David Copperfield
- Glenn Miller Orchestra
- 42nd Street
- Biloxi Blues
- Singin' in the Rain
- The Music Man
- Sweet Charity
- Cabaret
- Shirley Jones
- Dreamgirls
- Barbara Mandrell
- Driving Miss Daisy
- Steel Magnolias
- Little Shop of Horrors
- My Fair Lady
- Lost in Yonkers
- Trisha Yearwood
- Cats
- Grease
- The Sound of Music
- West Side Story
- Fiddler on the Roof
- The King and I
- Footloose
- Tom Chapin
- Death of a Salesman
- La bohème
- Rent
- Willie Nelson
- Riverdance
- B. B. King
- Clint Black: Up Close and Personal
- Evita
- Hairspray
- Annie
- Marvin Hamlisch
- Movin’ Out
- Skillet
- Decyfer Down
Educational Programs for Kids
The Lutcher Theater has a special program just for kids. It's called the Series for Kids. This is one of the biggest children's performing series in Texas. It's also the largest in the Southeast Texas area. Shows are put on by touring companies from all over the world.
Learning Through Performances
The series includes popular children's shows. Examples are Old Yeller and The Velveteen Rabbit. These performances happen during the week. Students often come on field trips to see them. Teachers even get study guides. This helps them connect the shows to their classroom lessons.
The Nelda C. and H. J. Lutcher Stark Foundation
The Lutcher Theater is owned by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation. This foundation was started in 1961 in Orange, Texas. Its main goal is to make life better in Southeast Texas. It does this by supporting education, the arts, and health services.
How the Foundation Helps the Community
The foundation achieves its goals through several important places. These include the Stark Museum of Art and the W. H. Stark House. It also supports the Lutcher Theater and the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. These places offer great opportunities for the community. People can learn about art, history, and nature. They can also simply enjoy these wonderful resources.
