Atlanta Performing Arts Centers: Where to See Live Theater, Music, and Dance in the City

Atlanta has a thriving performing arts scene, with world-class theaters, community playhouses, concert halls, and multi-use arts centers spread across the city. Whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting for a weekend, or are looking for a place for your own performance, there are many performing arts centers to explore.

This guide walks through the major performing arts venues and centers in Atlanta, what each is known for, how to get there, and what to expect when you go.

Understanding Performing Arts Centers in Atlanta

When people say “Atlanta performing arts center”, they may mean:

• A large complex with multiple theaters and stages
• A community or neighborhood arts center with a single stage
• A university or school-based center that hosts public performances
• A specialty venue focused on dance, opera, theater, or live music

Most centers in Atlanta host a mix of:

• Theater and musicals
• Dance and ballet
• Classical music, jazz, and choral performances
• Comedy, talks, and special events

The sections below focus on the best-known and most active performing arts centers around Atlanta, with practical details to help you choose where to go.

The Woodruff Arts Center: Midtown’s Flagship Performing Arts Hub

The Woodruff Arts Center is one of Atlanta’s primary performing arts destinations and a major cultural anchor in Midtown.

Address: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Typical offerings: Theater, symphony, family events, arts education

The Woodruff Arts Center includes:

• Alliance Theatre – Known for professional theater, including new plays, musicals, and family-friendly productions.
• Atlanta Symphony Hall (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) – Home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, with classical concerts, pops programs, and special guest performances.
• High Museum of Art – Primarily a visual arts museum, but the campus setting often overlaps with performing arts events, festivals, and public programs.

Why locals and visitors go

• 💡 Central location in Midtown with access to MARTA’s Arts Center Station.
• Wide variety of performances in one place—perfect if you want both theater and symphony options.
• Strong arts education programs for children and teens, including camps and workshops.

The Fox Theatre: Historic Landmark and Major Performance Center

The Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s most iconic venues and functions as a major performing arts center for Broadway tours, concerts, comedy, and special events.

Address: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Inside the Fox, you’ll find:

• A large, ornate main auditorium used for most performances
• Multiple event spaces used for smaller events, receptions, and private functions

What to expect

• Broadway-style shows on national tour
• Big-name music artists, comedians, and live events
• Seasonal programming like holiday shows and film screenings

The Fox is especially popular with visitors and new residents who want that “classic Atlanta” theater experience in a historic, atmospheric setting.

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre: Modern Venue in Northwest Atlanta

The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is a modern, multi-use performing arts complex just outside the city boundary in the Cumberland/Galleria area, convenient to northwest Atlanta neighborhoods.

Address: 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30339

The venue is known for:

• Hosting Atlanta Ballet performances
• Presenting touring Broadway, dance, and music events
• Providing a state-of-the-art theater with excellent sightlines and acoustics

Why it’s popular

• Easy access from I-75 and I-285, with large parking options
• A good option if you’re in Vinings, Smyrna, Marietta, or northwest Atlanta
• Frequently used for national tours and high-production-value shows

Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University

Located downtown, the Rialto Center for the Arts is a university-run yet very public-facing performing arts center.

Address: 80 Forsyth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303

The Rialto typically features:

• Jazz, world music, and dance performances
• Events that highlight international and culturally diverse artists
• University-related productions and community collaborations

Highlights

• Strong focus on global and cross-cultural programming
• Walkable to many downtown hotels and attractions
• Often part of downtown arts festivals and special series

Southwest Arts Center: Community Performing Arts on the West Side

The Southwest Arts Center is a community-focused performing arts and cultural facility serving southwest Atlanta.

Address: 915 New Hope Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331

It includes:

• A performing arts theater that hosts plays, concerts, readings, and dance
• Spaces for classes, workshops, and visual arts
• Programming with strong ties to local artists and neighborhood groups

This center is especially valuable if you live in southwest Atlanta and want nearby performances or youth arts programs without heading into Midtown or Downtown.

Neighborhood & Community Performing Arts Centers Around Atlanta

Beyond the big-name venues, Atlanta has many smaller centers and theaters that contribute to the city’s performing arts landscape. These often combine rehearsal spaces, performance stages, and community arts programs.

Here are some that commonly serve as performing arts centers in practice:

Loudermilk Center (Downtown)

While often used as a conference and event venue, the Loudermilk Center in downtown Atlanta also hosts performances, talks, and arts events.

• Location: Near the Georgia State Capitol and central business district
• Frequently used for civic, nonprofit, and cultural events

Atlanta-area community theater and arts spaces

Many intimate theaters and arts organizations function like performing arts centers by offering consistent public programming, classes, and rentals. A few examples within the broader metro area include:

• Horizon Theatre Company (Inman Park/Little Five Points area) – Contemporary plays and new works.
• 7 Stages Theatre (Little Five Points) – Focus on experimental, international, and socially engaged theater.
• OnStage Atlanta, Out Front Theatre Company, and others – Smaller companies that frequently host full seasons of plays and events.

These are particularly appealing if you’re interested in local artists, new writing, or niche performance styles.

Quick Comparison: Major Atlanta Performing Arts Centers

Use this as a starting point to decide which center best matches where you are in the city, what you want to see, and how formal or casual you’d like the experience to be.

Choosing the Right Performing Arts Center for Your Needs

When you’re deciding where to go in Atlanta, consider:

1. Type of performance you want

• Broadway and big tours: Fox Theatre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
• Symphony and classical: Atlanta Symphony Hall at Woodruff Arts Center
• Professional theater: Alliance Theatre (Woodruff), Horizon Theatre, 7 Stages
• Ballet and dance: Atlanta Ballet (primarily at Cobb Energy), Rialto Center
• Community-based performances: Southwest Arts Center and neighborhood venues

2. Location and transportation

• Without a car:

  • Midtown venues like Woodruff Arts Center and Fox Theatre are near MARTA stations (Arts Center, North Avenue).
  • Downtown’s Rialto is accessible via MARTA’s Peachtree Center or Five Points.

• With a car:

  • Cobb Energy and Southwest Arts Center generally offer easier parking options if you’re driving from the suburbs or outer neighborhoods.

3. Budget and atmosphere

• Premium, big-event feel: Fox Theatre, Cobb Energy, major Alliance Theatre shows
• Moderate to mixed pricing: Woodruff Arts Center, Rialto
• More budget-conscious and local: Southwest Arts Center, many neighborhood stages

Pricing and ticket structures vary widely, so it’s common for Atlanta residents to mix and match—seeing a big Broadway production one month and then a smaller local performance the next.

Tips for Attending a Performance in Atlanta

A few practical pointers that apply to most performing arts centers in the city:

• Plan for traffic and parking. Evening performances in Midtown, Downtown, and around major interchanges often overlap with rush hour. Aim to arrive early.
• Check venue policies in advance. Many centers have specific rules about bags, cameras, food, and late seating.
• Look for rush, student, or community tickets. Some venues, especially those connected to universities or nonprofits, may offer discounted options.
• Explore nearby restaurants. Midtown, Downtown, and the Cumberland area have plenty of pre-show dining; reservations can be helpful for weekend evenings.

Getting Involved Beyond Watching Performances

If you live in Atlanta and want to participate in performing arts rather than just attend:

• Educational programs:

  • Woodruff Arts Center and Alliance Theatre offer youth and adult classes.
  • Southwest Arts Center and other community centers may have drama, dance, or music workshops.

• Volunteer opportunities:

  • Many theaters welcome volunteers as ushers, event helpers, or support staff.

• Local auditions and open calls:

  • Community theaters and some smaller companies periodically hold auditions for local performers.

Checking each center’s schedule or public announcements is the best way to find current opportunities.

Atlanta’s performing arts centers range from historic landmarks to neighborhood stages, giving residents and visitors plenty of options for live theater, music, dance, and more. Whether you’re planning a night out in Midtown, looking for a family-friendly play in your neighborhood, or exploring Atlanta’s arts scene for the first time, there is likely a performing arts center nearby that fits your needs.