Experience Houston’s 25th Annual Transcanada Theater District Open House on Sunday, August 26

PREVIEW THE UPCOMING PERFORMING ARTS SEASON

Celebrate the recovery from Hurricane Harvey Sunday, August 26, 2018, from noon to 5 p.m.

Theater District Houston hosts the 25th Annual TransCanada Theater District Open House on Sunday, August 26, 2018, from noon to 5 p.m.

Marking the official launch of the fall performing arts season, the event is a free, family-friendly festival that takes place at five venues in the Theater District in downtown Houston.

The venues include the Alley Theatre (615 Texas), the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby), Jones Hall for the Performing Arts (615 Louisiana), Revention Music Center (520 Texas) and Wortham Theater Center (501 Texas), newly renovated and open to the public for the first time since Hurricane Harvey.

“This year’s TransCanada Theater District Open House is a celebration of recovery, strength and growth,” said Kathryn McNiel, CEO of Theater District Houston.

“For 25 years, the event has presented an extraordinary opportunity for Houstonians and visitors alike to fully experience Houston’s performing arts scene. After Hurricane Harvey canceled last year’s event and disrupted much of the 2017–18 performing arts season, we are excited to bring everyone back into the district,” said McNeil.

Since its inception in 1993, Theater District Open House has become an iconic event showcasing Houston’s renowned performing arts scene.

The day festival features one-day-only ticket deals as well as free programs, performances and activities that highlight the best of dance, music and theater on tap for the upcoming season. Guests are invited for exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities including backstage tours, demonstrations, performer meet and-greets and more.

Families with children will enjoy the Houston Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo, Storybook Opera with HGOco, balloon swords inspired by The Three Musketeers on the steps of the Alley Theatre and photo opportunities with beloved characters from Houston Ballet’s The Nutcracker.

The schedule is packed with free performances.

Find a preview of classic Broadway musicals by Theatre Under The Stars; Dorrance Dance, the award winning tap dance company from New York, presented by Society for the Performing Arts; a jazz trio of High School for the Performing and Visual Arts alumni Mike Moreno, guitar, Burniss Travis, bass, and Kendrick Scott, drums, performing for Da Camera on the Cadence Bank Stage at Jones Plaza; a spotlight on Houston Grand Opera on the Wortham Foyer Stage; dance demonstrations from the Houston Ballet at the Wortham; and more.

The festival concludes with a free concert by the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall, featuring orchestral showstoppers such as Rossini’s William Tell Overture, music from Star Wars and the finale of Stravinsky’s The Firebird, at 4 p.m.

A partial lane closure of streets in the Theater District will allow festival-goers to walk freely between venues, enjoying outdoor pop-up performances and food truck fare along the route. Trolleys will be available to transport guests wishing to ride rather than walk between venues. The Buffalo Bayou Partnership will provide free boat rides from Fish Plaza at the Wortham Theater Center, offering visitors an alternative view of the Theater District.

This annual festival presents an opportunity for arts-lovers to secure special ticket offers and also seeks to educate all Houstonians about the performing arts organizations that call the Theater District home: Alley Theatre, Da Camera of Houston, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, Mischer Neurosciences Broadway at the Hobby Center, Society for the Performing Arts and Theatre Under The Stars.

Together, these organizations present more than 1,000 performances each year and draw more than two million visitors annually.

Visit www.theaterdistrictopenhouse.com for more information, including the full schedule of events and details about special ticket offers.

FEATURED PHOTO: ALLEY THEATRE-SKELETON CREW