Miller Outdoor Theatre celebrates 100 years of extraordinary performances

THE WOODLANDS, TX – As the curtain rises on the 100th Anniversary performance season at Miller Outdoor Theatre (MOT), The Miller Theatre Advisory Board has announced that Houstonians and visitors alike can expect eight months of exceptional cultural arts programming plus four stellar 100th celebratory events, all free of charge to the public.

The 100th season kicks off March 17 when Irish eyes will smile when The Trinity Irish Dance Company brings their progressive Irish Dance to Houston for St. Patrick’s Day. The following evening transports all to 1923, the “birth” of Miller Outdoor Theatre, complete with a celebratory roaring 20s themed extravaganza with Vaudeville performers, swing dance lessons, photo opportunities and more. Additionally, the Board has launched a $12.5 million dollar capital campaign to raise necessary funds to improve the visitor experience at the theatre. Renovations and improvements will be made to the theatre’s fixed and hillside seating. Also, the creation of a signature entryway to the theatre will both welcome guests and facilitate smooth access in and out of the facility. As always, admission to MOT remains free to all. Everyone is encouraged to make Miller memories during the 100th anniversary season.

“Everyone has a special memory from a Miller visit,” explained Managing Director Cissy Segall Davis. “When you think about it, Miller Outdoor Theatre has been in about everyone’s life at one time or another. This theatre has launched careers, celebrated birthdays, engagements, and date night. I wish I had a dollar for every time a performer told me there’s no other place in the world that feels like Miller does when you’re on that stage peering out in the crowds and that beautiful park. It really is just magical. Thanks to our dedicated Board, who’ve spent years planning for this 100th celebration, we’re very excited about the season-long celebration. We think everyone in Houston will feel the Miller love and how grateful we are to have this jewel of an entertainment venue called Miller Outdoor Theatre to share with the world.”

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

MOT was created in 1919 when native Houstonian Jesse Wright Miller donated land to the City of Houston. Funds generated from the land sale were used to build an outdoor theatre on the current site in Hermann Park. It was designed by William Ward Watkin and built by Tom Tellepsen in 1922 as an amphitheater surrounded by twenty Corinthian-style limestone columns. Dedicated in 1923, the theatre served the community as a gathering space for free performances including amplified radio broadcasts such as the 1925 World Series and the 1927 World Heavyweight Boxing Championship.

Notable performers over the past 100 years include Tejano superstar Selena; Tony Award winner Tommy Tune; and Grammy Award winning performers Little Joe y La Familia, singer Arooj Aftab, Houston Chamber Choir and many more.

Today the Miller Theatre Advisory Board curates a wide spectrum of performances and programs to share and celebrate diverse artistic expression reflective of Houston. From rock to Bach, Miller offers the best in live music, dance, theatre, film and more. A few signature performances on the calendar include Juneteenth; the Houston Symphony Patriotic Fourth of July celebration with fireworks; Houston Shakespeare Festival; Cinco de Mayo; and countless other shows including the March 24 Michael Jackson Experience: I am King and the extraordinary collaboration of Bella Gaia and The Earth Harp Collective for the season finale on November 11. With 140 performances throughout the season there’s a show for everyone.

Exceptional performances require sophisticated facilities and over the past 100 years innumerable improvements and renovations have been made to the theatre. Most notably, the original theatre was demolished sometime in the mid 1960’s and replaced in 1968 with the soaring steel structure present today which won numerous awards for its design. Further refurbishments were made between the years 1996 and 1998. Funds raised through the current capital campaign will provide renovations and improvements that will greet future Miller visitors providing the next generation of theatregoers with an incredible, more-modern, and state-of-the art theatre experience. Miller Outdoor Theatre is managed by Houston First Corporation.

“Miller is for everyone,” stated Romulo Tim Cisneros, Chair of the Miller Theatre Advisory Board. “Our goal as Board members is to invite the world’s performers to Houston to share their gifts with our community. It’s both a privilege and honor to serve on the Board and one I very much cherish.”

Make plans to join the season-long celebration. For the entire 2023 performance and event calendar and details on how to obtain FREE tickets for the covered seating, visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Join the Season Long Celebration – 100th Event Schedule

March 18—Return to the year it all started, 1923, with a roaring 20s themed extravaganza. Step out in your best 20s attire and mingle with vaudeville performers, photo installations, live mural painting, swing dance lessons and more from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Capped off with a performance by the legendary Hot Sardines starting at 8 p.m.

May 12—Happy Birthday Miller! Let’s celebrate together with a larger-than-life birthday cake and birthday activities from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. followed by The Houston Ballet performance of Jewels at 8 p.m.

July 14-15—Celebrate all things theater featuring a TUTS Musicals at Miller retrospective. Bring the family for an evening of imagination and performance with interactive puppet shows, magicians, a collaborative mural and more, plus, take a photo in the larger-than-life birthday cake. Celebratory events from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. with the TUTS performance at 8:30 p.m.

November 11—A Steampunk Spectacular. Dress in your best Steampunk costume and step back in time through machines, performances, photo installations and more all ending in a once in a lifetime collaboration between the founders of Bella Gaia and The Earth Harp Collective, bringing the magic of both shows together. Not one, but two Earth harps will frame the stage and the spectacular sounds of the Earth harp combine with the visual story of BELLA GAIA (beautiful earth) blending music, visually-stunning dance with motion sculpture—by Capacitor—along with NASA satellite imagery to tell a cosmic story of the interconnectedness of our planet. The season finale, and special salute to Miller, will truly take audiences out of this world, intended to not only touch hearts and minds while WOWing audiences, but also to inspire each attendee to deepen their sense of unity, connection, and appreciation for our world and for Earth. Bringing together two of the most popular shows touring our country in recent years, this dynamic combination is unique on the national stage and is sure to be a highlight of the anniversary season. Season finale.

About Miller Outdoor Theatre

Since 1923, Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park has been one of Houston’s most beloved cultural treasures, a gathering place for the community and the site of thousands of memorable free performances. This is the largest “always free” program of its kind in the country. Miller Outdoor Theatre is an outdoor theatre for the performing arts set on 7.5 acres in Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. For 100 years Miller has provided Houstonians and visitors with the opportunity to enjoy professional entertainment in a diverse array of genres including music, dance, theatre, film, and more. Performances are always family friendly. Guests can sit in covered seating or the grassy hillside.

Miller Outdoor Theatre is funded in part by the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.