Arts & Theater in Butler County

A guide to the historic theaters, community stage, and orchestra that power Butler County's arts scene.

Butler County's arts scene punches above its weight, centered on the historic theaters and cultural venues of downtown Butler. From an Art Deco movie palace turned live-performance hall to a beloved volunteer playhouse and a working symphony orchestra, there is genuine culture to enjoy here year-round. Here is where to find it.

The Penn Theater

A focal point of downtown Butler since 1938, the Penn Theater at 149 North Main Street is a striking Art Deco movie palace that originally seated more than 1,100 people. New ownership began converting it into a live entertainment venue in 2023, blending concerts and shows with occasional film screenings. It is the grand centerpiece of Butler's cultural district.

The Penn Theater

Historic 1938 theater in downtown Butler serving as the city's focal point for…

Butler Little Theatre

Butler Little Theatre has entertained the community since 1941 as a continuously operated, all-volunteer nonprofit. Housed in a barn-shaped former carriage house on Howard Street, the intimate 155-seat theater stages five shows each season plus workshops for kids and teens. Catching a production here is a warm, distinctly local night out.

Butler Little Theatre

All-volunteer community theater operating continuously since 1941 in a converted…

Butler County Symphony Orchestra

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra supports the musical arts across western Pennsylvania by employing local musicians and partnering with area school districts on educational programs. Based on South Main Street in Butler, the orchestra brings live classical performance to the community throughout its season. It is a point of real pride for the county.

Butler County Symphony Orchestra

Community symphony orchestra providing quality symphonic and classical music…

Galleries and the Butler Art Center

For visual arts, the Butler Art Center and Gallery offers a place to see local work and take part in classes and community programming. It rounds out the downtown cultural district alongside the theaters and orchestra. Stop in to see what regional artists are creating.

Butler Art Center and Gallery

Nonprofit gallery operated by the Associated Artists of Butler County since the 1930s,…

Live Theater in Cranberry

Down in the Cranberry Township area, Comtra Theatre offers another community stage for plays and musicals, making live theater accessible to the county's fast-growing southern end. It is a great option if you are based near the Route 19 corridor. Check its season schedule when planning a night out.

Comtra Theatre

Intimate in-the-round community theater founded in 1983, presenting year-round live…

Make a Cultural Weekend of It

Because Butler's venues cluster downtown, it is easy to pair an evening show with dinner and a stroll through the cultural district. Time a visit around a Penn Theater concert or a Little Theatre opening, and you have the backbone of a memorable weekend. Always check current calendars, since seasons and showtimes change throughout the year.

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In This Guide

1.The Penn Theater
2.Butler Little Theatre
3.Butler County Symphony Orchestra
4.Galleries and the Butler Art Center
5.Live Theater in Cranberry
6.Make a Cultural Weekend of It

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