Herberger Theater Center

We are Arizona's center stage, engaging the community through diverse arts experiences that ignite emotion, stimulate conversation, and inspire connections with the arts.

The Herberger Theater Center is committed to bringing together artists and community for diverse and engaging experiences in the arts. We are the Valley's only theater whose primary mission is to service other local, non-profit performing arts companies. We are committed to sustaining youth and community outreach programs, designed to give Arizona children opportunities to excel, learn and heal through their experience with the arts. The Herberger Theater continues to expand its role in the arts community by adding new approaches to engage the public and arts community, and use performance and interactive art to break down barriers, creating an environment where all members of the community feel welcome.

Built in 1989 to support and foster the growth of performing arts in Phoenix, the Herberger Theater has contributed to the cultural and educational development of the Valley. More than 4.8 million patrons, including 350,000 school-aged children, have shared the unique experience of attending more than 16,000 live performances. Since then, the Herberger Theater has celebrated the diverse, multicultural heritage of the Phoenix community with accessible performing arts experiences year after year.

The Herberger Theater Center enriches the Phoenix community. Through performances and outreach programs, it brings people together, inspires imagination, and fosters important conversations. We believe cost should not be a barrier to experiencing or creating art and have created free or low-cost opportunities for all to experience the magic of live performance. Diverse programming ensure everyone in our community can enjoy the arts. 

We provide several youth arts education and outreach programs including Wolf Trap, an arts-focused education program designed to enhance children's development while training parents and teachers to integrate arts as a teaching tool. This year, we revamped the program to better serve schools and address challenges such as limited budgets, transportation issues, and restrictive field trip policies. The mobile program offers interactive dance and music activities and includes movement classes to build rhythm, motor skills, and creativity, as well as a ballet performance. Our Arizona Young Artists' Competition provides talented young performers with an opportunity to compete for scholarships in front of a live audience. The program enables young Arizona artists to experience the audition process and garner productive feedback and pertinent experience through an adjudication process led by highly esteemed arts professionals.

Our Lunch Time Theater program presents one-act plays performed by emerging theater companies at an affordable cost, reaching thousands of guests each season. The program serves both artists and the audience in a way that continues to be unique. At just $10, tickets are affordable to those patrons who cannot attend main stage performances due to higher ticket prices, and is a convenient and cultural choice for downtown workers.

The annual Festival of the Arts was created to bring the arts and the community together for a free one-day event. It draws more than 3,500 attendees annually and features performances by more than 30 arts organizations, live music, children's activities, visual art, food, and vendor market.

Our First Friday Live series offers a unique opportunity for the community to experience the magic of live performing arts. Held every first Friday from October to May, the series showcases vibrant outdoor performances. Admission is free, making it an accessible and welcoming experience for everyone. First Friday Live provides a safe and inviting environment for all and each performance is thoughtfully curated to showcase a diverse range of music, dance, visual art, and interactive experiences. The program also offers a themed art activity for children, giving them a chance to express their creativity. A local non-profit is featured each month, highlighting the spirit of community and collaboration.

Our Performance Pop-Ups series are free outdoor programs celebrating the depth and diversity of talent in Arizona, providing high-quality music, dance, and theatrical programming in a safe and welcoming environment. The one-hour performances are held on Saturdays at 6 p.m. (weather permitting between October and April) and showcase artists and performances that are diverse and reflective of our community. The program's goal is to activate the theater's exterior areas and serve as a connector between the community and downtown while providing a free and accessible arts experience for all. It is essentially another way to help break down the walls between inside and out, helping us engage people in unexpected ways.