Mission
Theater of the Stars is a non-profit professional theater company that has been a vital presence in the arts community in Atlanta, Georgia for over 50 years. Our mission is to produce, present and promote the highest quality musical theater productions, both locally and nationally, thereby exposing diverse audiences to the creativity, beauty and talent that encompasses the genre.
We strive to provide creative outlets, educational experiences and theatrical training through our produced shows and youth oriented festivals. We are always looking for new ways to positively impact our community through the performing arts.
Atlanta
Based …with a National
Reach
Theater of the Stars is one of the oldest and most respected
regional theaters in America. Since our founding in 1953, we
have Produced or Presented over 700 productions in Atlanta, across
the country, and around the world. Our mission today is the same
as it was over fifty years ago — to Produce and Present
the best of Broadway musicals.
Community Asset
Theater of the Stars is a community asset. Like most regional theaters, we are a not-for-profit organization run by a Board
of dedicated volunteer Trustees. This means that we are owned
by the community and not by stockholders. Any profits that we
earn are reinvested into the company to help defray the risks
inherent in producing musical theater. The government also assists
by allowing us to seek and accept tax-deductable contributions
from the community to help support our mission.
Local Roots
Theater of the Stars is a local theater company. We have also
played a leading role in the birth or development of several
of Atlanta’s artistic institutions including the Alliance
Theatre, the Atlanta Ballet, and the Atlanta Children’s
Theatre. We also founded the Grand Opera in the Park, the
Winter Play Series, and the Just Us Theatre Company. We annually
employ hundreds of Atlanta artists and other professionals
for our productions.
Our Sponsors Deserve A Standing Ovation
Theater of the Stars is grateful to our sponsors for their loyal support of the organization. We could not hope to offer the high quality of programming that our audiences expect were it not for the generous financial and organizational support of our sponsors.
Presenters…and Producers Too
Theater of the Stars is committed to offering a balanced season of shows. We strive to Produce roughly half of the shows
and Present the other half. The ability to Produce shows allows
us a wider range of available titles in each season. Disney’s
High School Musical and White Christmas are the latest and
best examples of locally Produced shows which was not available
to Present.
Atlanta’s Choice for Family Entertainment!
Theater of the Stars is proud of its tradition of producing and
presenting shows which appeal to the entire family. Each season
is carefully planned to offer high quality entertainment which
can be shared and enjoyed across generational lines. We encourage
the tradition of subscribers using their tickets to introduce
their children to live theater, share a warm memory with their
parents, or connect with friends and neighbors. From Classics
to Broadway Hits to Holiday Favorites to New Works, we celebrate
the joy of sharing the experience of theater with your friends
and family.
Theater of the Stars has called the Fox
Theatre our home for the past 20 years. We moved to the Fox
in 1987 in recognition of Atlanta’s overwhelming efforts
to save the building from demolition and restore it to its
former beauty. The results of that restoration are readily
apparent, and the audience response has been phenomenal. The
Fox is one of the premier buildings in the world and the 2007
year end rankings of venues prove it. The Fox was the
#1 Venue
in the USA (capacity of 2,001 to 5,000 seats)
VENUES TODAY
Magazine
#2 Venue in North America (capacity up to 5,000
seats)
BILLBOARD Magazine
#5 Venue in the World
POLLSTAR Magazine
The Fox Theatre is a remarkable success story
and we are proud to be its Resident Theater
Company. Atlanta agrees that “all
the best shows are at the Fox."
Not
only does Theater of the Stars produce great shows, we also have
access to an extensive rental inventory of affordable Broadway
quality sets and costumes designed by nationally recognized designers.
For information on our
current inventory please contact General Manager Brian D. Frey. Please provide:
Name
Organization
Contact phone number
Show
Preference
Dates Requested
The following is a sample of sets currently available. Theater of the
Stars also has access to other show sets as well. Please e-mail for more information.
SETS and COSTUMES: Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 1
Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2
Irving Berlin’s WHITE CHRISTMAS
BOMBAY DREAMS
SETS ONLY: ANNIE
WEST SIDE STORY
MY FAIR LADY
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
COSTUMES ONLY:
THE KING and I
ADDITIONAL RENTAL ITEMS: FIBER OPTIC CURTAIN AVAILABLE w/ Martin QFX150 illuminators
Theater
Under the Stars was founded in 1953 with Maurice B. Seltzer as
head of Operations and enthusiastic support of then Mayor Wm.
B. Hartsfield and the Fulton County Commissioners. Their aim
was to present the finest entertainment at the lowest possible
prices. Their first home was Chastain Amphitheatre, an outdoor
theater with seating capacity of 6200.
Ticket prices started at
$1.00 thereby allowing access to the arts for many. In 1960 Chris
Manos joined Theater Under the Stars and began moving things
in a new direction. With aid from a generous grant he brought
Opera Diva Blanche Thebom to Chastain Amphitheatre in the 'King
and I'. 40,000 people filled the audience over the week, firmly
establishing the star system for the organization.
1964 brought
further growth with the formation of the Winter Play Season presented
at the intimate Peachtree Playhouse. The Winter Play Season was
developed with the intention of producing popular plays with
stars, using the latest offerings from Broadway. The same year
Grand Opera in the Park was formed to present both full length
ballets and well known operas. Many people who would otherwise
have never seen an opera, got a chance to see some of the finest
performers in classic operas.
One performance of 'La Traviata' brought Dorothy Kirsten, Richard
Tucker and Robers Merrill to an audience of 11,000. During
this time Theater of the Stars continued to offer their full
Summer season, amounting to a well-rounded season, and many
new experiences for Atlanta theatre-goers.
In 1965, with their
full season firmly established they presented an additional
offering of the Fine Play Season, adding yet another dimension
to their growth. The Fine Play Season brought the best of classical
theater to its audiences using the best of local talent in
a resident company.
In 1968 the theater officially became THEATER
OF THE STARS, moving their residence to the new Atlanta Civic
Center. In the same year, an offshoot of the managerial arm
of Theater of the Stars under the heading of Municipal Theater
created the Atlanta Repertory Theater Company, The Atlanta
Opera Company, and the Atlanta Children's Theater. In the '70's,
Theater of the Stars continued to bring the finest in theatre
entertainment to its audiences at the Atlanta Civic Center
and the Peachtree Playhouse.
In 1976 Theater of the Stars founded
the Just Us Theater Co., an African-American theatre company
whose goal it was to bring major African-American stars and
authors to Atlanta while also using and developing the best
local talent. It was Chris Manos' wish to support the development
of such a group in hopes that it would someday become an independent
theatre company of
its own.
In 1979 Theater of the Stars expanded further by beginning
to bring national touring companies to Atlanta on a regular
basis. Theater Of The Stars has been host to these visiting
companies as well as combining the talents of major stars with
local performers to produce its own shows. In the past few
years these shows have included the Broadway hits "Cats" and "42nd
Street" to
record breaking audience capacity.
In 1981 the Peachtree Playhouse
was set up as a separate entity of Theater of the Stars. While
leasing out the theater to various arts organizations, some
resident and some visiting, Theater of the Stars was responsible
for the annual lease and expenses.
In 1988, Theater of the Stars
moved their performances to the Fox Theatre, a world renowned
facility. A winter of new musicals direct from Broadway was
added to compliment the five decade old summer season. Plans
for the future are currently being formulated to carry Theater
of the Stars through the Millennium.
