Today, the Broadway Center is recognized for its leadership in presenting world-class performing artists, providing one of the largest performing arts education programs in Washington State and preserving Tacoma's historic theaters. The Broadway Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and manages the largest complex of theaters between Seattle and Portland: Pantages Theater (seating 1169, built in 1918, and restored in 1983); the Rialto Theater (seating 742, also built in 1918, and restored 1991); and Theatre on the Square (seating 302, built in 1993).

In 2008-09, the Broadway Center celebrated our 25th anniversary and continued to fulfill a dual mission as steward for these three publicly owned theatres and serve as a presenter of leading artists on-stage. Further, the Broadway Center operates one of the largest performing arts education programs in Washington State, serving 26,000 students and teachers annually in the South Sound, including deep levels of service with our four Kennedy Center Partners, the Bethel, Puyallup, South Kitsap and Tacoma School Districts.

The Broadway Center is proud to provide a vital home to nine of Tacoma's Resident Arts Organizations that form the core of the performing arts system in the South Puget Sound region: Northwest Sinfonietta; Puget Sound Revels; Tacoma City Ballet; Tacoma Concert Band; Tacoma Opera; Tacoma Philharmonic; Tacoma School of the Arts; Tacoma Symphony Orchestra; and Tacoma Youth Symphony Association.

Downtown Tacoma's Theater District
Downtown Tacoma has accomplished a revitalization of massive proportions over the past two decades. Beginning with the restoration of the Pantages and Rialto theaters. In combination with the debut of Sound Transit's Tacoma Link Light Rail system, Tacoma's Theater District has been made more accessible, user-friendly and welcoming for tourists and local residents than ever before. A wide variety of unique merchants and restaurants, state-of-the-art museums are available for you to enrich your cultural senses and explore Downtown Tacoma.

History of the Broadway Center Theaters
Please read on to find out more on the background of the Pantages Theater, Rialto Theater and Theatre on the Square.