Est. 1930 · Downtown Palestine, Texas

The Crown Jewel of
Downtown Palestine

Home of Palestine Community Theatre — live, family-friendly theatre in a beautifully restored 1930 movie palace.

Get Tickets Upcoming Shows

Upcoming Productions

Our current season at the Texas Theatre. Tickets available online and around town — see ticket info below.

New season announcements are coming soon — follow us on Facebook for the latest.

Tickets

Adults

$15

all performances

Children 4–18

$10

all performances

Where to Buy

  • Palestine Visitors Center — 825 W. Spring St.
  • Discount Pools — 309 W. Parker St., Elkhart
  • Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce — 401 W. Main St.
Buy Online

Tickets purchased online can be picked up at Will Call on show nights.

Our Story

The Texas Theatre, home of Palestine Community Theatre, is the crown jewel of downtown Palestine and the finest venue for live entertainment in East Texas. This historic structure at 213 W. Crawford St. is a prime example of Spanish Colonial architecture, designed as an atmospheric movie palace when it opened in 1930. After two devastating fires and a host of closings and re-openings, the Texas Theatre has been reborn to its new purpose: live theatre.

Over the past 25 years, the stage of the Texas has spotlighted many of our talented neighbors with productions such as Guys and Dolls, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Man of La Mancha, Clue: The Musical, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Palestine Community Theatre strives to provide family-friendly entertainment featuring local talent, while delivering a quality of productions that is unsurpassed in the area.

PCT has made the restoration of the Texas Theatre a priority since its re-opening and the relighting of the TEXAS sign in 2005 — a meticulous restoration of the lobby and auditorium that continues today.

PCT invites you to assist us in celebrating our past, securing our present, and preparing for our future. Make plans to attend our next show and see what everyone is talking about!

The red TEXAS blade sign on the theater's Spanish Colonial facade The auditorium and stage of the Texas Theatre in the 1930s

Auditions

All auditions are open to anyone in our community and surrounding areas, require no previous experience, and are held at the Texas Theatre, 213 W. Crawford St., unless otherwise indicated. For current audition dates, follow us on Facebook.

What to Expect

  • Auditions usually include a cold reading from the script, chosen by the director.
  • For musicals, prepare 16–32 bars of a song in the style of the show. You can sing to an mp3 from your phone, use a CD track, or accompany yourself on our upright piano.
  • Want a specific role? Research the character and the show — and be that character when you read and sing.
  • Just want to be part of it, on stage or backstage? Complete an audition form and join us — we're always looking for volunteers and new faces.

Good to Know

  • The director makes all final casting decisions; not everyone who auditions is guaranteed a part.
  • Children should generally be at least 8–10 years old, depending on the show.
  • PCT charges no participation fees. Cast and crew help build sets and provide their own costumes and small props.
  • If cost is ever a factor, please don't let it stop you — we will help those who need it.

Ask an Audition Question

Fine & Performing Arts Scholarship

Each spring, Palestine Community Theatre awards scholarships to graduating seniors headed to college.

  • Open to current students (including homeschool) in Anderson County school districts who live in Anderson County — or any student who has volunteered or participated in a PCT production during high school.
  • Applications must include one letter of recommendation from a current teacher or school counselor.
  • The PCT Board announces the number, amount, and recipients of scholarships at its April meeting, and deposits awards directly to each recipient's college funding account.

Apply by mail to PCT, PO Box 80, Palestine, TX 75802 or by email to historic.texas.theatre@gmail.com. Contact us for the current application form and deadline.

Board Members

Our all-volunteer board — and usually their families too — commits countless hours to keep this historic theater in operation and produce family-friendly shows. None receive any compensation; they serve because they love their community and want to share their love of the arts.

Want to get involved? Simply come to any audition, complete a form, and join a production — every board member started as cast or crew.