Wortham Theater Center (Houston, Texas)

 opera, theatre, ballet theatre, 1987_construction, performing arts

The Wortham Theater Center (not to be confused with the Wortham Theatre on the University of Houston campus) is a performing arts complex located in the Theater District in downtown Houston, Texas. Officially opened on May 9, 1987, it was designed by Eugene Aubrey of Morris Architects and built entirely with $66 million worth of private funds.

The Center is owned by the city of Houston and operated by the Houston First Corporation, and serves as the permanent home for the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet. It is named in honor of Gus S. Wortham, a local philanthropist and founder of the American General Insurance Company (the Wortham Foundation contributed $20 million for its construction), and consists of two venues: the 2,405-seat Brown Theater (named for donors Alice and George Brown and used primarily for opera and large ballet productions) and the smaller 1,100-seat Cullen Theater (named for donors Lillie and Roy Cullen) and used for smaller ballet productions and other events.

501 Texas, Houston, TX 77002
www.houstontx.gov/worthamcenter/index.htm