About Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts

Established in 1926, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the nation.

Our Vision

OUR HISTORY

Born in the Roaring Twenties, the “Civic Players” began producing four plays annually in the St. Cecilia Auditorium in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1935, the organization officially changed it’s name to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, and soon had over 1,600 season ticket holders and drew audiences of over 4,000 to each of six shows annually. The theatre continued to maintain itself through decades of economic and social changes.

During the 1960s, the Civic Theatre experienced unprecedented growth and emerged as one of the country’s strongest community theatres. By the end of the decade, in a cooperative venture with the Grand Rapids Public Schools, the Civic began offering theatre classes to young people and further strengthened it’s position in the community.

Today, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts is the 5th largest community theatre in the country. We produce 9 mainstage productions each year with the help of over 800 talented volunteers who do everything from singing, dancing and acting, to building sets, sewing, ushering, and so much more. We truly are your community theatre!

The award-winning Civic School of Theatre Arts has grown to become one of the largest and most respected community theatre education programs in the country. We provide excellent training in all aspects of theatre life for over 1,600 students annually. The Civic School of Theatre Arts has played a significant role through the years in successfully preparing students to participate in local community theatre, and has even helped to inspire professional careers in all areas of theatre production.

Our Facility

Our home since 1979 is comprised of four historic buildings, the Wenham Building (1878), the Hull Building (1890), the Botsford Building (1892), and the Meijer Majestic Theatre (1903). In 2004, local business leader Fred Meijer approached Grand Action about renovating the dated facility. The renovation, completed in September 2006, culminated with honoring the lead gift by renaming the theatre “Meijer Majestic Theatre.”

For more information on the 2006 renovation and the donors who made this transformation possible, visit the Theatre’s main lobby. 

Take a virtual tour of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

Our Board

The Governance of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts is a volunteer Board of Directors.  Members represent many community businesses and organizations who are dedicated to supporting a community with a rich arts and cultural life. The Board of Directors represents a diverse range of experiences, views, knowledge, and passion for theatre and education.

Brett Karhoff (Chairperson) – Hungerford

Amy Kam (Vice-Chair) – Mercantile Bank

Gretchen Mousel (Treasurer) – Heart of West MI United Way

Emily Rucker (Secretary) – Warner Norcross + Judd

Chelsea Austin– Miller Johnson

Narisa Bandali – Bissell Homecare, Inc.

Alexandra Breen – Bissell Homecare, Inc.

Chriscynethia Floyd – Our Daily Bread Ministries

Joel Freeman – Fishbeck

Kaylee Hanson – LMCU

Blythe Kazmierczak – Blythe Talent

Kyle Kimble – RE/MAX of Grand Rapids

Amanda Kirchoff – Wolverine Worldwide

Kate Landis – Farm Bureau Insurance

Mallory McKnight – Corewell Health

Kara Peltier – Acrisure

Hunter Reams – Miller Johnson