The arts come to life in Plano, Texas year-round thanks to the talent of the many amazing theatrical and musical organizations in our city. There is always a show to catch, concert to experience, or a ballet to delight in. Plano is proud to be home to so many diverse arts organizations. Learn more about each group below and check out their upcoming performance schedules.
Plano Performing Arts Organizations
Art Centre Theatre
Art Centre Theatre is a non-profit theater community in Plano with a highly varied program of musical theatre, drama, comedy, opera, operetta, dance, children’s theatre, concerts and art exhibits in a season that runs year-round. Casts include adult-only, youth-only, and a combination of adult & youth. Noteworthy shows include: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Clue on Stage, The Rocky Horror Show, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and A Christmas Story.
Chamberlain Ballet
Plano based Chamberlain Ballet was established in 1984 by Artistic Director, Kathy Chamberlain. Chamberlain Ballet was formed as a student ensemble dedicated to providing students with a stepping-stone to professional dance careers. During their 10th season, Chamberlain Ballet became a semi-professional company with their debut of the Chamberworks Series in collaboration with the Plano Symphony Orchestra. Chamberlain Ballet is dedicated to providing professional quality performances and outstanding outreach programs. Performances are held at many venues throughout North Texas including the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson and Courtyard Theater in Plano. The Chamberlain Ballet is known for its beautiful performance of The Nutcracker every holiday season.
Children’s Chorus of Collin County
The 100+ Voice Children’s Chorus of Collin County is comprised of three choruses, Prelude Chorus (grades 3-5), Concert Chorus (grades 6-8), and Youth Chorus (grades 9-12). All three choruses perform several times throughout the year, including three major concerts and a tour schedule. The Chorus Repertoire ranges from classical to popular, folk to jazz, and Broadway to international. Catch the Children’s Chorus of Collin County at Lights on the Farm, the Plano International Festival, and more!
Legacy of Harmony
The Legacy of Harmony mixed barbershop harmony chorus displays a commitment to quality music and fraternity. Previously known as The Men of Note, the new chapter name, Legacy of Harmony, reflects their commitment to providing a lifetime of singing to everyone. Under this new brand, the Town North Plano chapter looks forward to leading the way as a shining example of “Everyone In Harmony”! Looking for a small quartet to entertain at your show or get-together? Take a look at their list of ensembles for hire. Rehearsals are open to the public to enjoy Monday evenings at 7pm at the Saint Mark School Cafetorium (1201 Alma Dr., Plano, TX 75075).
North Texas Performing Arts
North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the character of youth through quality performing arts education and family entertainment. NTPA’s vision is to light the passion of the performing arts for our youth and ensure all youth have the opportunity for the profound experience of taking the stage and having their voices heard.
NTPA’s roots go back to 1991 with the creation of Plano Children’s Theatre founded by Sara Akers, and upon that foundation, the North Texas Performing Arts was created in 2015 and is now the largest youth-dedicated theatre troupe in the country. NTPA offers classes, camps, and productions in Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant Counties for young people ages 5-18, and adult programming through its NTPA Repertory Theatre.
Each year, NTPA “Develops the Characters” of over 11,000 young people in over 150 major productions and over 1,000 performances on over a dozen stages across North Texas.
Plano Civic Chorus
The 90-member auditioned chorus’s broad repertoire ranges from the songs of the Broadway stage to the great masterworks of the classical composers. The chorus performs regularly with the Plano Symphony Orchestra. In recent seasons, the Plano Civic Chorus concerts have featured several choral masterpieces, including Bach’s Magnificat, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Brahms’s German Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. In other concerts, the chorus has sung beloved Broadway favorites, famous opera choruses and stirring patriotic songs. The Plano Civic Chorus will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023 with four musical events.
Plano Community Band
The Plano Community Band is a volunteer organization made up of 70 musicians who share a passion for music. The band performs two free spring concerts and a free fall concert at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, but is best known for its free summer concerts at Haggard Park in the Downtown Plano Arts District. The Summer Concert Series begins the first Monday in June, and performances at the park continue every other Monday evening for a total of five concerts. The band has themes for each concert including kids’ night, big band and a patriotic concert.
Plano Metropolitan Ballet
Plano Metropolitan Ballet is a non-profit ballet company that performs an original fairy tale ballet every year. Founded in 1987, the Plano Metropolitan Ballet is under the artistic direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson, who has led the company since 1998. Dancers train at Gotta Dance studio in Plano. The Plano Metropolitan Ballet also performs at many community events and festivals and is the host of the annual Plano Dance Festival (recently renamed Dance Plano!), a showcase of professional dancers from performing companies and studios throughout the Dallas metroplex. For four consecutive years, the Plano Metropolitan Ballet was voted “Best Way to Get Artsy in Plano” by Plano Magazine readers.
Plano Symphony Orchestra
It’s the mission of the Plano Symphony Orchestra to inspire, educate, entertain and involve the children, youth and adults of our community in the enjoyment of great music. Established as the Plano Chamber Orchestra in 1983, the Plano Symphony Orchestra has grown to be the premier musical organization of North Texas touching the lives of over 190,000 North Texans annually, including up to 40,000 children in various education programs. The Plano Symphony Orchestra is a fully-professional orchestra served by a professional staff devoted to the highest artistic quality. Hector Guzman has served as Music Director of the Plano Symphony since its first season. The Plano Symphony’s annual subscription series takes place at the 1,550 seat Eisemann Center in Richardson with one or two performances annually at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano.
Rover Dramawerks
Rover Dramawerks produces lost or forgotten works of well-known authors and supports a diverse group of artists and production talent. Founded by women, Rover Dramawerks is a response to the cultural needs of the community and is dedicated to its enrichment. This Plano-based theatre company develops a strong performing arts community in North Dallas by nurturing the large number of unfocused artists, performers, and unserved patrons of the arts in the area. They also offer children’s classes in acting and improvisation, which teach tools for the stage and confidence for life. Popular past shows have included: Sherlock Holmes and the Portal of Time, The Awesome 80’s Prom, The Belle of West Texas, and Four Weddings and an Elvis.
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