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    Main Street Theater - Rice Village


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    In 1975, Houston was a booming, oil-rich metropolis with a growing, sophisticated populace eager for exposure to a wide variety of cultural activities. But with only one resident theater, patrons were inevitably limited in the number and range of theatrical voices they had the opportunity to hear. Furthermore, few professional opportunities existed for the city's growing community of theater actors, directors, writers and designers. Thus, Main Street Theater, the first of several new theater companies established during the 1970's, was founded to meet two needs: to offer Houston theatergoers a more varied and challenging selection of plays and musicals and to provide a venue for training, employment and exposure for our city's professional theater artists.

    Founding Artistic Director Rebecca Greene Udden enlisted a collection of theater professionals in a temporary home at Autry House, the Episcopal Diocese's community center on Main Street. Hence, the name of that youthful and idealistic group. The first production under the name Main Street Theater was Noel Coward's HAY FEVER, produced in June of 1975. There followed a new production every month for the next season, setting a precedent of constant activity, which continues to this day. The organization evolved from an artistic collective into a more traditional organizational structure with Rebecca Greene Udden as Artistic Director. A company of artists has remained the driving force behind the theater's success, and over the past twenty years, hundreds of actors, directors and designers have found an artistic home at Main Street Theater.

    Encouraged by critical acclaim and audience growth, the board of directors moved Main Street Theater in 1981 to larger quarters in an abandoned dry-cleaning plant in University Village. In the 92-seat space, with little to separate actor and audience, Main Street Theater developed its intimate playing style, which is as suited to the grand scale of Shakespeare as it is to a one-person show.

    In February of 1996, Main Street Theater opened a second space with a 190-seat theater. Main Street Theater at Chelsea Market houses a stage dedicated to the youth theater program and to large-scale MainStage classics and musicals.

    Main Street Theater opened its 26th anniversary season with a new status as an Equity Professional Company. After several years of presenting Equity actors under a special agreement, MST has been approved for Actor's Equity Association (AEA) Small Professional Theater status.

    Main Street Theater is a member of the Fresh Arts Coalition, a collaboration of the most original and thought-provoking arts groups in Houston, which includes 15 dance, theatre, literary, musical and visual arts organizations that have joined together to collectively raise awareness of the size and diversity of the arts in Houston. For more information, go to www.fresharts.org .


    • At-a-
      Glance

      • Contact Info

        Main Street Theater - Rice Village

        2540 Times Blvd.
        Houston, TX 77005

        Phone: (713) 524-3622   |   Official Website

      • Map

        Full map and directions

      • Parking Info

        Parking in the Village can be difficult, especially for Sunday Matinees. MST recommends that you arrive at least 20 minutes early to allow time to park and get to the theater. Remember, there is no late seating once the show starts.

        Limited off street parking is available directly in front of the Rice Village Theater, and there is street parking all through out the village. Parallel parking can also be found on the east side of Kirby.

        When the weather is nice, you might chose to park in the Village parking garage. The closest entrance can be found at Kelvin and Amherst, one block east and one block south of the Theater. There may be a nominal fee, but parking is free should you choose to dine at one of the Village Arcade eateries before the show.

        We do ask that you be respectful of our neighbors and not park in any off street parking that is in front of open businesses. What's more, because of the nature of Village parking, many businesses will enforce towing.

        The best way to beat the parking blues is to come early, find a convenient place near the theater and walk to a Village eatery for dinner or brunch!

        From Southwest Houston (Sugar Land Area)
        Take 59 North, pass the 610 Loop, and exit Kirby (just after The Compaq Center). Turn right onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

        From North Houston (The Woodlands/Downtown)
        Take 45 South to 59 South and exit Kirby (if you see The Compaq Center, you've gone too far). Turn left onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

        From Southeast Houston (Clear Lake/Galveston)
        Take 45 North to 59 South and exit Kirby (if you see The Compaq Center, you've gone too far). Turn left onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

        From I-10 coming from the West (Katy)
        Take 610 Loop South to 59 North and exit Kirby (just after The Compaq Center). Turn right onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

        From I-10 coming from the East (Beaumont)
        Take 59 South and exit Kirby (if you see The Compaq Center, you've gone too far). Turn left onto Kirby. Cross Bissonnet and Sunset. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

        From Main Street Theater at Chelsea Market
        Turn left onto Montrose. Make a right on Bissonnet. Pass Shepard and Greenbriar. Turn left onto Kirby. Pass Sunset Blvd. When you reach Rice Blvd., go one more block to Times Blvd. (there's no traffic light). Turn left onto Times. MST is the third business on the left (next to Ovations).

      • Accessibility Services

          There is no accessibility service information available at this time.

      • Technical Specs

        Main Street Theater - Rice Village is a 90 seat theater in the round

        • Current Events
          05/19/12-
          06/17/12           		 My Wonderful Day
          Main Street Theater - Rice Village
        • Upcoming Events
          07/12/12-
          07/29/12           		 Dog Act
          Main Street Theater - Rice Village

      • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

    • Current &
      Upcoming Events

      • Current Events
        05/19/12-
        06/17/12         		 My Wonderful Day
        Main Street Theater - Rice Village
      • Upcoming Events
        07/12/12-
        07/29/12         		 Dog Act
        Main Street Theater - Rice Village

    • Past
      Events


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