Springfield hosts several live entertainment options throughout the year
From dazzling Broadway shows to an extremely talented local artistic community, Springfield’s performing arts scene is more vibrant than ever before. Festivals, concerts, plays, musicals, opera and much more provide exciting artistic entertainment year-round.
If it’s the old-world charm you’re looking for, Landers Theatre is the place to book your next theater experience. The historic venue—built in 1909 and rebuilt in 1921 after a devastating fire—is home to the Springfield Little Theatre, Missouri’s oldest and largest civic theater operation.
The Nutcracker by the Springfield Ballet
Springfield Little Theatre produces a season of nine plays and musicals for some 60,000 patrons annually, but those aren’t the only options for theater-goers. Landers Theatre also features concerts and recitals by the Springfield Regional Opera and the Springfield Ballet, including its annual performance of The Nutcracker.
Find energetic, modern works on the cutting edge of theater production at the Springfield Contemporary Theatre. The non-profit production company, located in Downtown Springfield, performs more than 30 weekends per year.
SCT is known for its high standards of theater—and its high-caliber talent. Through a partnership with the Actors’ Equity Association, the organization is able to bring notable actors to the stage, such as Broadway star Kim Crosby and Lucas Grabeel from the High School Musical franchise.
Springfield Regional Opera by Matt Loveland
Springfield Regional Opera provides a wide range of productions to engage existing fans of this vocal art form and emerging audiences who want to learn more. For more than 35 years, SROpera has performed at a variety of venues around the city, making opera available to people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
Located on Historic Route 66, the Gillioz Theatre has a full schedule of movies, concerts, opera, plays, comedians and other productions available year-round with new events added frequently. Along with all that, the Emmy Award-winning comedy talk show, “The Mystery Hour,” is filmed at the theater in front of a live audience throughout the year.
Les Miserables
Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts is expansive, with a 2,264-seat theater (including multi-level boxes and orchestra pit), as well as public and private reception areas. It is located on Missouri State University’s campus and is home to the Springfield Ballet and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, southwest Missouri's largest regional, professional orchestra. Its size also allows for national tours of Broadway productions, such as the “Les Misérables” in early 2020.
Also at MSU, be sure to enjoy Tent Theatre, a summertime favorite since 1963. The high-quality productions feature collegiate stars alongside theatre professionals from around the country.
Visit SpringfieldMO.org/Events for a full list of great performance options in Springfield.