City Opera House

The City Opera House is a historic cultural venue located in downtown Traverse City, Michigan. It is one of the remaining forty-eight opera houses built in Michigan during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and it is affectionately referred to as "The Grand Old Lady." The opera house was inaugurated in 1892 and is one of only seven such Victorian structures still open in the state. It has been meticulously restored and now serves as a regional hub for the arts, offering a diverse range of events and educational programs. The City Opera House is renowned for its two world-class Performing Arts series, which feature professional national-touring artists. These series are presented in collaboration with Michigan State University's Wharton Center for Performing Arts. In addition to these series, the opera house provides arts education programs for learners aged 8-18 and hosts a variety of public and private community events throughout the year. The mission of the City Opera House is to promote and nurture the venue as a regional hub for connecting people to the arts and each other. Its vision includes encouraging a lifelong passion for the arts, presenting excellent programming and education, preserving the historic building, and ensuring financial sustainability through capable management, patrons, and community partnerships. The organization values integrity, inclusion, leadership, collaboration, creativity, community, effectiveness, respect, service, knowledge, continual improvement, innovation, and the importance of people. The history of the City Opera House dates back to 1890 when three local businessmen, Anton Bartak, Frank Votruba, and Charles Wilhelm, envisioned an attractive community venue for the arts. The building was constructed at a cost of $50,000 and was designed to be a wholesome gathering place of high culture, hence the name "opera house." Over the years, it has hosted a variety of events, including plays, concerts, operettas, horse shows, and even donkey basketball games. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The City Opera House Heritage Association, formed by a group of committed citizens, was granted a 75-year lease by the City of Traverse City in the 1980s. This association embarked on a multi-decade effort to restore the cultural gem to its former glory. The opera house's dramatic barrel vault ceiling, fresco paintings, gold leaf accents, and Victorian styling make it a unique venue for events such as the National Writers Series, the Traverse City Film Festival, conferences, weddings, and family reunions. The 680-seat theater is designed to be versatile, with the ability to clear the main floor of seating for large gatherings. Its Victorian charm, superior acoustic quality, and accessible location contribute to its status as a unique public environment in downtown Traverse City. The City Opera House continues to be an important cultural resource for Northwest Michigan, with a commitment to community engagement and enhancing the quality of life through the arts. The collaboration with Michigan State University and the Wharton Center for Performing Arts symbolizes a broader mission to enrich the lives of residents and strengthen the value of the arts in everyday life. The City Opera House Heritage Association is governed by a board of members and an advisory council, comprising individuals from various professional backgrounds who are dedicated to the organization's mission and vision. The association invites the public to join their eClub for pre-sale announcements and information about upcoming events.