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
- The New York City Ballet posts performance videos that you can watch from anywhere.
- The Metropolitan Opera
- The Metropolitan Opera has an “On Demand” section on its website where you can watch a nightly opera stream from your comfy couch.
- Stars in the House
- Stars in the House hosts a live stream of guest performances every evening.
- Broadway World
- Explore the calendar of events posted by Broadway World, which you can watch online instead of going to a theater.
- Discover Live Entertainment on Stellar
- The live-streamed shows on Stellar range from singing to dance, with many different genres represented.
- PBS Great Performances
- PBS regularly hosts full-length virtual performances that you can view from home for free.
- American Pops Orchestra
- Check out the all-virtual offerings scheduled by the American Pops Orchestra.
- Environmental Film Festival
- Watch the featured film hosted by the Environmental Film Festival, which you can see virtually.
- Free Play Readings
- Explore some different plays by streaming free play readings, which you can listen to from anywhere.
- Chamber Dance Project: Virtual Chat Series
- Get a chance to interact with artists and performers who work with the Chamber Dance Project.
- Mason Arts at Home
- George Mason University has a schedule of upcoming virtual performances that you can watch from your couch.
- Dance Place Virtual Presentations
- Dance Place shares a wealth of free virtual events that are hosted on their website and then rebroadcast on the company’s Facebook page.
- The Kennedy Center at Home
- The Kennedy Center’s Digital Stage is full of concerts you can tune in to from home.
- The Olney Home Hour
- Put these concerts on your calendar so you don’t forget to tune in for seasonal entertainment provided monthly throughout the year.
- Round House at Your House
- The Round House Theatre has planned a wide array of activities that you can participate in from the comfort of your own house.
- Shakespeare Theatre Company
- These performances are performed live on stage, but you can watch them from home after buying tickets.
- Strathmore Virtual Content
- Strathmore has decided that taking in the arts is more important than ever now, so they’ve made productions available to watch from home.
- Synetic Streaming
- Stream live shows put on by the Synetic Theater, and only pay what you can afford for tickets.
- Transformation Theatre Events
- You’ll need Zoom to watch these events, produced by the Transformation Theatre.
- Washington Improv Theater
- The Washington Improv Theater is improvising by putting on weekly streaming shows that are free to view.
- Washington Performing Arts
- Washington Performing Arts has organized a wide selection of online programming to enable you to explore many different types of concerts.
- Chicago Children’s Theater: Virtual Theater Programming
- Click on any of these videos to watch theater from your computer or device.
- Chicago Plays Streaming Now
- You don’t have to be in Chicago to see these shows that are streaming over the Internet.
- Lyric Opera of Chicago
- Broaden your musical horizons by watching free videos of performances by the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Key Questions
What types of performances can you watch virtually from home?
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Virtual theater options from home span a wide range of performing arts, including ballet, opera, drama, comedy, musicals, orchestra concerts, improv, and live-streamed stage productions. Platforms and organizations across the country offer everything from free PBS broadcasts to ticketed Shakespeare performances streamed live.
Can you watch Broadway and major theater productions online?
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Yes, several platforms make it possible to watch major productions from home. Broadway World maintains an online calendar of streamable events, the Kennedy Center offers concerts through its Digital Stage, and the Shakespeare Theatre Company streams live stage performances after tickets are purchased.
Are there free options for watching virtual theater performances?
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Yes, several organizations offer free virtual performances. PBS Great Performances streams full-length shows at no cost, the Lyric Opera of Chicago posts free video performances on its website, and the Washington Improv Theater hosts weekly streaming shows that are free to view.
Where can kids watch theater performances online?
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The Chicago Children's Theater offers a virtual programming portal where kids can watch performances directly from a computer or device. Chicago Plays also streams shows online that are accessible from anywhere, not just for local audiences.
Can you interact with performers through virtual theater platforms?
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Some virtual theater experiences go beyond passive viewing. The Chamber Dance Project hosts a Virtual Chat Series that gives audiences a chance to interact directly with artists and performers, while Round House Theatre offers a range of participatory activities you can join from home.