Welcome to the community!
Are you new to Columbus? Itching to get back on stage after years away? Whatever your reason for wanting to be part of the theatre community is, we would be happy to have you!
Decide How You Want to Participate
There are a variety of ways you can get involved in and around Columbus. This can always change over time!
On Stage
Backstage
In the Audience
Front of House
If you want to step into the spotlight, theatre companies in town regularly hold auditions. Some organizations hold auditions for their entire season at a time, while others go show by show.
You can check out the Auditions tab on the Columbus Theatre News calendar for a listing of local auditions by date and subscribe to the weekly newsletter for regular reminders about upcoming auditions.
There are many different skillsets that go into making a show happen. Whether you are a wiz with a power tool or love a good spreadsheet, there is likely somewhere you can be useful backstage. Some companies will even train you to help you apply your skills in a brand new role.
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Different theatre companies in town have different methods as to how they source their tech/production teams. You can scroll down for a listing of local theatre companies' websites. They will typically have a Get Involved or Contact page for you to inquire about what they need for upcoming shows.
If you are looking for shorter term commitments that still give you the chance to meet new people and help a theatre company out, ushering is a great way to get started. Most ushering gigs also come with the chance to see the show for free!
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Each individual organization handles their ushering pool differently, but checking their website is a great starting point. If you scroll down, you can find a listing of local theatres. If you see a show you like in their past productions, they may be a great fit for you!
We do it for the audience, so your patronage is extraordinarily valuable! Simply seeing shows helps keep the arts alive in and around Columbus.
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To be the best patron you can be, theatres love when you buy your tickets early, as it helps them plan for their audiences and provides steady cash flow. A season pass is a great way to support a theatre company whose work you especially enjoy.
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You can use the Columbus Theatre News calendar for a listing of upcoming shows and subscribe to the weekly newsletter for regular reminders about upcoming shows.
Get on stage with our sponsor, The Swain Studio!
Discover your artistic potential at The Swain Studio. Located in Upper Arlington, Ohio, The Swain Studio offers expert private voice and audition preparation for students of all ages and experience levels. Whether you're preparing for college auditions, pursuing professional goals, or learning simply for the joy of music, our highly qualified instructors provide personalized, science-informed training in musical theater, contemporary, classical, jazz, and more. Join a welcoming community where exceptional teaching, artistic growth, and confidence take center stage. Your next performance begins here.
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New students coming from Columbus Theatre News can use a special promo for 50% off their first assessment lesson!
Attend Theatre Community Events
In addition to actual productions, there are several regularly occurring theatre events you can check out to meet new people and learn more about the community at large.
Weekly/Monthly Events
Don't Tell Gretta
Sundays at 5 pm
District West
"Don't Tell Gretta" is Ohio's only live piano drag show. Join us Sundays at District West located in Downtown Columbus for live music, sketch comedy, and an all around hysterical good time. Special guests, stiff drinks, and most importantly Gretta on the keys. End your weekend on a high note.
The Jebby Awards
Typically held in spring
The awards ceremony grew from a living room affair with a few friends to fifty in a hotel banquet room, to consistently over 300 of Jeb's friends, acquaintances, and admirers in attendance. As the acts got bigger, so did the legend of Jebby, with articles in the Columbus Dispatch wanting to know where he likes to eat and about his awards in 614 Magazine. His contribution to the visibility of the Arts in Columbus is tremendous and more importantly, he's a friend and cheerleader to everyone doing what they love on stage.
Sing Out, Louise!
Last Monday of the month at 7 pm
Club Diversity
Founded in 2004 by Stewart Bender, this open-mic musical theatre cabaret occurs on the last Monday of each month at Club Diversity. All are welcome, and music need not be memorized. Hosted each month by Luke Bovenizer, and sponsored by Club Diversity and Modern Ohio Realty and James B Ford, DDS.
Annual Events
Theatre Roundtable Awards
Typically held in late winter/early spring
Theatre Roundtable is a Columbus-based consortium of community, educational, and professional theatre companies that exists to further the performing arts in Ohio. They present approximately 9 awards per year, ranging from Theatre Educator to Emerging Leader to Unsung Hero.
TBD: The Improvised Musical
Third Friday of the month at 7 pm
Hashtag Comedy
TBD: The Improvised Musical! is a full-length, completely improvised musical based on a title given by you, the audience. Featuring musical improvisers from all over Central Ohio, TBD brings audiences big ensemble numbers, heart-wrenching solos and showstoppers, and of course, moving love songs.
Columbus Arts Festival
Typically held the second weekend of June
Named #9 “Best Fine Art and Design Show” in the country in 2025 by Sunshine Artist magazine! The Columbus Arts Festival brings the best artists and performers to bring their magic to the city for three days in June. The Festival includes several performing arts stages that have hosted groups like Columbus Children's Theatre, the Columbus Black Theatre Festival, and TBD: The Improvised Musical.
Explore Local Theatre Companies
Every group brings something different to the table! See below for local theatre groups, including their mission, recent productions, and an opportunity to learn more about them.
Actors' Theatre of Columbus
Our mission is to produce socially, culturally, or historically significant theater that embodies the human experience and enables our audience to be engaged beyond perceived or discovered barriers.
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Recent productions include: The Taming of the Shrew, Emma, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Butterfly Guild of Nationwide Children's Hospital
Butterfly Guild, an organization of women committed to raising funds for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, traces its roots to the hospital’s beginnings. Butterfly Guild has raised over $4 million to aid in the mission at Nationwide Children’s. In recent years, our contribution has gone to support the Hospice and Palliative Care Program. We are committed and honored to support this effort, and these families, during a time of great need.
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Recent productions include: Annie, Into the Woods, Cinderella
Columbus Children's Theatre
Our mission is bigger than entertainment. We create theatre that empowers, educates, and transform, offering training that launches careers, programming that breaks down barriers to access, and experiences that challenge what theatre can be. Whether you’re watching your child step onstage for the first time, joining us for an immersive adventure, or seeking top-tier theatre as a lifelong arts lover.
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Recent productions include: Guys and Dolls, Cabaret, Mr. Scrooge
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio
Come as you are. Leave forever changed. We believe theatre can make all the difference in our world. That’s why we harness the transformational power of immersive storytelling to engage in the current moment, inspire empathy, and bring our community together as one.
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Recent productions include: Primary Trust, Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Alice By Heart
eMber Women's Theatre
Our mission is to produce published or original works that focus on the strength and perseverance of women through strong female characters. We are actively striving to make theatre a more inclusive place and removing barriers to opportunity for underrepresented communities.
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Recent productions include: Maladies, Morning Sun, Always a Bridesmaid
Evolution Theatre Company
Evolution Theatre Company provides a supportive encouraging environment for celebrating the artistic vision of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and ally (LGBTQQIA) individuals, advancing the understanding of gender issues, and fostering the expression of creative performance arts by and about the LGBTQ+ community.
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Recent productions include: Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, The Shakespeare Conspiracy, A Real Boy
Emily LeFevre Talent Company
The concept of ELTC was started by Emily Lefevre to create a safe space where young actors in Central Ohio could share their creativity and discover what makes them unique. We believe that young actors should seek out various opportunities to discover their voice, and do so by encouraging the involvement of young people both on and off stage in local theater. We believe it is important for actors to grow in their knowledge and techniques of acting and in their personal growth of their art. To assist with this we provide private acting lessons, group lessons, selected workshops, and management.
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Recent productions include: 13 the Musical, Seussical Jr., Frozen
Endeavor Theatre
Endeavor Theatre redefines the way stories are told and theatre is made. We hope you'll join us on our journey as we create artist-centered, consent driven theatre that truly reflects what the world looks like in the 21st century.
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Recent productions include: Boy Meets Ghoul, Being Black Outside, tour de lune
Gallery Players
Discover the dynamic world of Columbus JCC Gallery Players, your destination for engaging theatrical performances and cultural events. From captivating plays to vibrant musicals, our ensemble celebrates artistic diversity and community spirit. Join us for an unforgettable cultural experience, where creativity thrives on stage. Explore our upcoming productions and immerse yourself in the vibrant arts scene at the JCC!
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Recent productions include: Broadway Bound, The Wizard of Oz, Merrily We Roll Along
King Avenue Players
Since 2003, King Avenue Players has been the theatrical ministry of King Avenue United Methodist Church designed to provide quality entertainment, community outreach, Christian fellowship, and worship enhancements.
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Recent productions include: Perfect Arrangement, Shrek the Musical, Seussical
MadLab
MadLab is a non-profit organization that provides an artistic haven for the creation and experience of original works. It is a laboratory where individuals and ensembles are free to experiment without censor. Each year we produce five to seven original productions including “Theatre Roulette,” the longest-running annual shorts festival in Columbus. In addition, MadLab serves emerging artists by providing an affordable, quality venue to small arts organizations.
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Recent productions include: Young Writers Short Play Festival, Memory Fragments, Theatre Roulette
Mine 4 God Productions
M4GP strives to offer an opportunity for all people, especially marginalized people, to see themselves and their stories on stage, to have a place to work, volunteer and perform on stage, in front of a diverse audience, which in turn offers more theatre opportunities for them in the theatre community. At M4GP inclusion means ALL!
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Recent productions include: Columbus Black Theatre Festival
Ohio Musical Theatre Institute
At omti, our mission is to cultivate the artist within every individual who walks through our doors. we provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where aspiring performers of all ages can explore their creativity, develop their skills, and embrace the transformative power of musical theatre. Through our comprehensive programs, experienced instructors, and vibrant community, we aim to inspire passion, build confidence, and instill a lifelong love for the performing arts.
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Recent productions include: Once Upon a One More Time, The Little Mermaid Jr., The Spongebob Musical
Performing Arts Creative Ensemble
We are a new Live Community Theater in Columbus Ohio. Our goal is to create quality live theater and contribute to the overall landscape of Performing Arts in Columbus! By using the best local talent we can find, we hope to offer a wide range of genres! Comedies, Dramas, Thrillers, and eventually, Musicals! From older classics to contemporary works!
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Recent productions include: Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, The Boys in the Band, Elephant Man
The Room Upstairs Theatre Company
The Room Upstairs Theatre Company is a new theatre company in Columbus Ohio, that focuses not only on great performances, but also on a family like setting within our group. We believe there is something in everybody, and sometimes it's the people overlooked who can shine the brightest.
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Recent productions include: Ride the Cyclone, Sweeney Todd, Next to Normal
Theatre Reset
TheatreReset is a women and nonbinary owned and operated theatre company in Columbus, Ohio with a focus on original short plays. We are committed to producing new plays that take on important topics such as mental health, identity, and autonomy with kindness and humor.
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Recent productions include: Short Play Festival
Tipping Point Theatre
At The Tipping Point Theatre Co. Columbus, our passion is bringing powerful stories to life that champion equality. TPT is committed to producing theatre that expands the opportunities for the underrepresented. Our goal is to tip the scales toward a more inclusive and just society, one performance at a time.
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Recent productions include: Stick Fly, Bothered and Bewildered, Good People
Trinity Theatre Company
TTC is founded on educational principles that develops and nurtures individuals from all artistic genres. Through training and support for all generations, TTC inspires lifelong learning which Cultivates a positive impact on our diverse community.
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Recent productions include: The Piano Lesson, Gem of the Ocean
