Photo Credit: “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” from Orlando Shakes
Orlando has a rich culture and a big investment for the arts
and theater. A lot of the theater aficionados and talented people in town has
developed the theme park town into a stunning city of culture. If you are a new
in the city or just visiting, explore the cultural options the city has to
offer.
You probably heard and seen the big productions in town like Cirque du Solei “La Nouba” and Blue man group at
Universal Studios, without mentioning the shows inside of Disney and Universal;
but most impressive is the local productions coming from Community theaters.
Local productions in these theaters are done thanks to donations from locals, volunteers,
and city grants, but their shows will astonish on how professional and top
quality the performances are.
Here is the list of the top local and community theaters in Orlando
that we recommend to catch a show:
Photo: Orlando Shakespeare
1. Orlando Shakespeare Theater
The theater has one of the best facilities and venues in
town. It houses 3 theaters in one, where they don’t only show their plays but independent
theater producers are able present their own shows here. Their productions are
top quality and provides with innovative experiences that enrich the community.
Photo: WP Observer
2. Orlando Repertory Theater (The REP)
The theater specializes in children and family theater with
the mission “To create experiences that enlighten, entertain and enrich the
lives of family and young audiences.” The theater is located next to the Orlando
Shakespeare Theater and is part of the Lowndes Shakespeare center. The same as
the Orlando Shakespeare, the theater has a top venues and facilities, and their
productions are top quality.
Photo: NancyJCohen
3. Garden Theater
Located in Winter Garden, is a refurbished, historic theater
that serves as the performing art center in Winter Garden. The most impressive
feature of their theater experience is the architecture, where you get to fill
one of the 299 seats available in this historic Mediterranean revival
architecture building. The Theater recently revolutionize the small venues
networks with the play “Peter Pan” where they set a high-tech wonder by using four
projectors that create the illusion of flying, made on a giant curved, 15 panel
screen that wraps the stage. The special effects were made by Christie Digital
systems.
Photo: LegalTeamUSA
4. Mad Cow Theater
Mad Cow Theater is one of the most respected professional’s
theaters in town. It presents classic and contemporary plays, as well as
musicals. The theater is located in Downtown, the heart of Orlando, in the
second floor of 54 West Church Street. The theater is great for weekend
entertainment with friends or a date, where you can hang out in downtown at the
bars or restaurants and then go for a show. The theater has plays that create
the opportunity for meaningful conversation.
Photo: Theater Downtown
5. Theater Downtown
Theater Downtown doesn’t have their own venue anymore, but
they still present plays in other venues throughout the year. Their quality is
still top of the line, with great professional performances. Theater Downtown
mission is to create a broader base of aesthetics possibilities in the Central
Florida are by producing and spotlighting unique plays and artists.
Photo: WP Observer
6. Winter Park Playhouse
Winter Park Playhouse is a professional musical theater,
located in winter park minutes from Downtown Orlando and walking distance to
the famous park ave. The theater doesn’t show plays as much, but focuses more
on musical performances. The same as Mad Cow, the theater is great for a evening
with friends or family where you can hang out in Park ave, eat shop there, and
then go to watch a show.
By Christian Gabriel
