5th Avenue Theatre

5th Avenue Theatre
5th Avenue Theatre marquee, Holiday 2016
Map
Address1308 5th Avenue
Seattle, Washington
98101
Coordinates47°36′33″N 122°20′02″W / 47.6092°N 122.3340°W / 47.6092; -122.3340
OwnerUniversity of Washington
Operator5th Avenue Theatre Association
Capacity2,130
Construction
Built1925 (1925)
OpenedSeptember 24, 1926; 98 years ago (1926-09-24)
ArchitectR.C. Reamer
Website
www.5thavenue.org
Skinner Building / Fifth Avenue Theater
5th Avenue Theatre is located in Seattle WA Downtown
5th Avenue Theatre
5th Avenue Theatre is located in Washington (state)
5th Avenue Theatre
Area1 acre (0.40 ha)
Architectural styleLate 19th and 20th century revivals, Italian Renaissance
NRHP reference No.78002756[1]
Added to NRHPNovember 28, 1978

The 5th Avenue Theatre is a landmark theatre located in the Skinner Building, in the downtown core of Seattle, Washington, United States. It has hosted a variety of theatre productions and motion pictures since it opened in 1926. The building and land are owned by the University of Washington and were once part of the original campus. The theatre operates as a venue for nationally touring Broadway and original shows by the non-profit 5th Avenue Theatre Association.

The 2,130-seat theatre is the resident home to the 5th Avenue Musical Theatre Company, and employs over 600 actors, musicians, directors, choreographers, designers, technicians, stage hands, box office staff, and administrators, making it the largest theatre employer in the Puget Sound region. A non-profit, the theatre company is supported by individual and corporate donations, government sources, and box office ticket sales.

The 5th's subscriber season programming includes six to seven shows per year, a mix of locally produced revivals of musical theatre classics, and premieres of bound-for-Broadway shows, and national touring musicals. The 5th Avenue Theatre has established a tradition of being a "testing ground" for new musicals before they make their debut on Broadway, launching hits such as Jekyll & Hyde, Hairspray, and The Wedding Singer. The theatre also hosts a variety of special events, and offers education and outreach programs to school-age children and adults reaching over 61,000 students, professional performers, and audiences each year.

  1. ^ "National Register Information System – (#78002756)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.