One of the best things about living in the streaming era is the sheer amount of entertainment available at your fingertips. You don’t have to leave your TV-watching recliner to experience world-class performances. From dance and opera to drama, comedy, and live concerts, there’s no shortage of incredible content to enjoy from the comfort of your couch. It’s also the perfect opportunity to explore something new. Never watched a ballet or listened to a full opera? A few clicks and you might discover a whole new type of performance you never knew you’d love.
- New York City Ballet
- New York City Ballet shares performance clips and behind-the-scenes videos on its website that you can watch from anywhere.
- Met Opera on Demand
- Met Opera on Demand streams hundreds of the Met’s performances, and a free trial lets you sample full operas from your comfy couch.
- Broadway World
- BroadwayWorld’s video channel features performances, cast interviews and behind-the-scenes clips from shows across the country.
- BroadwayHD
- BroadwayHD streams filmed Broadway and West End musicals and plays on demand, so you can catch a show without the trip to New York.
- PBS Great Performances
- PBS regularly hosts full-length virtual performances that you can view from home for free.
- National Theatre at Home
- London’s National Theatre streams recorded productions from its stages, from Shakespeare to new plays, through its National Theatre at Home service.
- Environmental Film Festival
- Browse hundreds of titles from the DC Environmental Film Festival and watch many of them online.
- Globe Player
- Shakespeare’s Globe in London puts its productions on Globe Player, so you can watch the Bard’s plays performed on his famous stage.
- Chamber Dance Project: Virtual Chat Series
- Get a chance to interact with artists and performers who work with the Chamber Dance Project.
- Marquee TV
- Marquee TV streams ballet, opera, theater and concerts from leading companies around the world, all in one place.
- The Kennedy Center Digital Stage
- The Kennedy Center’s Digital Stage collects concerts, performances and conversations you can tune in to from home.
- The Olney Home Hour
- Olney Theatre’s Home Hour series is now archived, but you can still watch its episodes of songs and stories online.
- Berliner Philharmoniker Digital Concert Hall
- The Berlin Philharmonic streams its concerts live and on demand through the Digital Concert Hall, one of the best ways to hear a world-class orchestra at home.
- OperaVision
- OperaVision streams opera, ballet and concert performances from European opera houses for free, with new streams added every week.
- Strathmore Virtual Content
- Strathmore’s virtual programs page includes an archive of concerts and performances you can watch from home.
- Synetic Streaming
- Stream productions from Synetic Theater, known for its wordless, movement-driven take on classic stories.
- Washington Improv Theater
- Washington Improv Theater keeps an on-demand archive of free improv shows you can stream anytime.
- Chicago Children’s Theatre: CCTv
- Chicago Children’s Theatre’s CCTv channel is packed with shows, activities and class projects for young theater fans.
- Lyric Opera of Chicago
- Broaden your musical horizons with video highlights from Lyric Opera of Chicago’s performances.
Key Questions
What types of performances can you watch virtually from home?
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You can stream ballet, opera, Broadway musicals, plays, orchestra concerts, improv and more from home. Options range from free services like PBS Great Performances and OperaVision to subscriptions like BroadwayHD and Met Opera on Demand.
Can you watch Broadway and major theater productions online?
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Yes, BroadwayHD streams filmed Broadway and West End shows, and National Theatre at Home offers productions from London's National Theatre. Shakespeare's Globe also streams its plays through Globe Player.
Are there free options for watching virtual theater performances?
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Yes, PBS Great Performances streams full-length shows for free, and OperaVision offers free opera and ballet from European opera houses. Washington Improv Theater also keeps a free on-demand archive of improv shows.
What is the best streaming service for opera and ballet?
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Met Opera on Demand is the top pick for opera fans, while Marquee TV covers ballet, opera and theater from companies around the world. For a free option, OperaVision adds new streams every week.
Where can kids watch theater performances online?
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Chicago Children's Theatre's CCTv channel offers shows, activities and class projects made for young audiences. It is a great starting point for families who want to introduce kids to live theater.
Can you interact with performers through virtual theater platforms?
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Yes, the Chamber Dance Project hosts a Virtual Chat Series where audiences can talk directly with artists and performers. It is a great way to learn how professional dancers create and prepare their work.
How can I make watching performances at home feel like a night at the theater?
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Stream on your biggest screen, dim the lights and settle into comfortable home theater seating. Good sound makes a big difference too, so a soundbar or surround system helps bring the performance to life.