About Us
The Garden Theatre hosts live plays, concerts, movies, and more to the residents of and visitors to the city of Winter Garden.

Our Vision
To present and create great art that expands the radius of our reach and the scope of our impact.
Our Mission
Provide programming from the spectrum of the arts to engage, entertain, educate, and inspire all who experience it.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
While inclusion and diversity have always been part of the foundation of our Garden Theatre community and business practices; the Garden Theatre Staff and its Board of Directors will continue to value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as one of Central Florida’s biggest assets in arts, performance, and cultural richness. We will maintain and grow this as a guiding principle.
We thrive on the differences each of us offer. Our collective experiences, backgrounds, skills, and unique abilities enroll a pallet of artist, production crew, vendors, patrons, sponsors, and organization contributors.
As a starting point for forming actions, the Garden Theatre recognizes the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This statement evolves as we learn, grow, and hopefully serve as a business leader in Central Florida.
DE&I VALUE STATEMENT
We believe and understand that the foundation of a vibrant, thriving theatre and performing arts venue is the cross-pollination of diverse programming contributors and artists; the cultivation of inclusive practices and strategies; and the development of a board of directors, team of employees, passion driven volunteers, and a community vested partner/supplier base who share in these values.
Our History

1935
Originally built in 1935 as a single-screen cinema, the Garden Theatre was the first in Central Florida built for “talkies,” and was a gathering place for locals to watch the latest newsreels and films of the day. Constructed in the Mediterranean Revival style, the interior of the theatre was modeled after a Spanish courtyard with “Romeo & Juliet” balconies, Spanish tile roof, and a dark blue ceiling resplendent with “stars.”

1963
The theatre underwent several renovations until closing in 1963. Soon after, the interior was completely removed and the sloped floor was covered with cement to level the surface to be used by Pounds Motor Company.

2008
Through the tireless efforts of the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, and Bert, Barbara, and Becky Roper, the restored Garden Theatre reopened in February 2008.
By restoring its architectural charm and re-introducing well-loved family programming as well as bringing innovative and lesser-known works to the stage, the Garden has been instrumental in the revitalization of the downtown historic district.

Today
In the many seasons since, this cultural performing arts center has welcomed thousands of patrons through its doors to enjoy live plays, concerts, movies, dance events, Broadway talent, and educational opportunities. It is also a highly desired rental space for meetings and special events.
Welcome to The Garden.
Production History

2022-23 Season
2021-22 Season
Man of La Mancha
Looped
Big the Musical
The Mountaintop
Parade
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan
Encore: An Evening with Kelli O’Hara


2020-21 Season
Hello, Dolly!
Ugly Lies the Bone
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
A Class Act
A Raisin in the Sun
Godspell
The Bodyguard: The Musical
2019-20 Season
Ragtime: The Musical
Deathtrap
A Christmas Carol
Violet
Ben Hur


2018-19 Season
Gypsy
The Birds
A Christmas Story
The Legend of Georgia McBride
1984
Billy Elliot: The Musical
Flashdance: The Musical
Encore: An Evening with Chita Rivera
2017-18 Season
Jesus Christ Superstar
The Odd Couple (Male & Female Versions)
Annie
The Lieutenant of Inishmore
A Tennessee Walk
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Xanadu
Encore: Garden Theatre’s 10th Anniversary with Joel Grey


2016-17 Season
Bonnie & Clyde
The Glass Menagerie
A Charlie Brown Christmas
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Destiny of Desire
Into the Woods
Encore: Conductor Matt Catingub & Orchestra, a Tribute to the Music of Chicago
2015-16 Season
La Cage aux Folles
Carved: A Pumpkin Musical Adventure
Miracle on 34th Street
Hands on a Hardbody
The Whale
Singin’ in the Rain
Encore with Maureen McGovern


2014-15 Season
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet St.
Christmas by Committee: A Musical
Doubt, A Parable
Boeing Boeing
Peter Pan
Encore with Sam Harris
2013-14 Season
Alice Lost in Wonderland
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
33 Variations
Hairspray
Encore with Rachel Potter


2012-13 Season
Legally Blonde
A Christmas Survival Guide
Biloxi Blues
Children of a Lesser God
Wizard of Oz
Encore with Fernando Varela & Friends
2011-12 Season
Little Shop of Horrors
The Diviners
The Bikinis
The Foreigner
The Music Man
Encore: Le Cirque de Jardin, An Evening of Jazz with Sisaundra Lewis


2010-11 Season
Noises Off
A Christmas Carol
Shhhh!
Greater Tuna
The Sound of Music
2009-10 Season
Forever Plaid
Crimes of the Heart
SLEIGH
Parallel Lives
Driving Miss Daisy
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat


2008-09 Season
L’Ange Avec Les Fleurs
Zombies from the Beyond
It’s a Wonderful Life
Parallel Lives
SNACK
The Iliad, Odyssey, and All of Greek Mythology
Our Town
I Do, I Do
2008 Season
The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)
Steel Magnolias
SPORT
Tuesdays with Morrie
Moonlight & Magnolias
