Carolina Theatre

Historic Carolina Theatre is located at 310 South Greene Street in beautiful downtown Greensboro. 

According to the Carolina Theatre website, the Theatre dates back to before the Great Depression. Originally opened on Halloween night in 1927, Carolina Theatre was a showplace from the start.  Crystal chandeliers, marbled columns and finely-carved archways were unique in the Carolinas at this time.  The awe-inspiring lobby and stately stage and auditorium are still as much of an attraction as the performances shown here.

We are fortunate to have Carolina Theatre still standing.  In the 1960s, declining downtown business establishments and competition from suburban movie theaters caused Carolina Theatre's attendance to fall.  Some wondered if the real estate that it occupied would be better used as a parking lot!  However, the United Arts Council purchased the building in 1975 and reopened it in 1977 as a performing arts center.  Carolina Theatre suffered an extensive fire in 1981 and underwent yet another renovation in 1991, with new HVAC, spruced up dressing rooms and office space, plus a new events room upstairs.  Concessions and restrooms, along with lighting and sound equipment, were also upgraded. 

Today, the Carolina Theatre is a great place to see almost any type of performing arts.  Carolina Theatre hosts ballets, operas, musicians, comedians, as well as community theatre  performances.  Classic films are also shown on a regular basis so you can see your favorite Hitchcock, Dean Martin or John Wayne movie on the big screen.   

Private tours of Carolina Theatre are available at a very reasonable cost.  The tours include the backstage area, dressing rooms and much information about the history of the building.  There is a minimum suggested donation of $25 per group or $2 per person.   Tours for school groups cost $25 per group or $1 per person.  The tours last approximately 1 1/2 hours but can be abbreviated, if desired.