Theatre Information

The Victoria Theatre

Ticket Center Stage ticket office (937) 228-3630

Since 1866, the “Magnificent Edifice” at First and Main Streets has held many names and forms, but one thing has remained constant – a tradition of celebrating and enriching life through the performing arts.

It originally opened on January 1, 1866 as the Turner Opera House and enjoyed three years of success before fire consumed the hall. The job of rebuilding took two years, and it reopened in 1871 as the Music Hall. The next 40 years were prosperous ones for the theatre.

Some of America’s most prestigious stars, including Edwin Forrest, Lillie Langtry, Harry Houdini, Sarah Bernhardt and Mark Twain, were featured in productions during this period. The theatre changed names several times during this period as well, becoming the Grand Opera House in 1885, the Victoria Opera House in 1899, and, finally, the Victoria Theatre in 1902.

In 1977 the Dayton Ballet Company found a home at the Victory, and a new annual season of professional theatre was initiated. Victory Theatre Association purchased the building in 1978, and much of the ornate plaster work was restored, new carpeting was installed and the roof replaced.

In 1988 the Arts Center Foundation acquired the Victory Theatre from Victory Theatre Association and began a $17.5 million renovation project. A year and a half later, the project was completed and the completely renovated theatre was rechristened the Victoria Theatre.

Today, the Victoria Theatre is home to performances by many of Dayton’s arts organizations, including Dayton Ballet, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Chamber Orchestra Series, The Muse Machine and CityFolk. In addition, Victoria Theatre Association presents the JPMorgan Chase Broadway Series, Star Attractions, the Young at Heart Family Series, the Michelob Ultra Cool Films series, the Physicians for Kids Education Series and the Universal 1 Variety Series at the Victoria Theatre.