The Miller Theatre Advisory Board (MTAB), the City of Houston–designated steward of Miller Outdoor Theatre, has officially broken ground on a new Gateway Plaza on the venue’s northeast corner. The project, designed by DLR Group with landscape architecture by Michael Van Valkenburg Associates (MVVA), is a key component of the theatre’s 100th anniversary capital campaign aimed at improving comfort, accessibility, and overall visitor experience.

“We’re thrilled to have broken ground on the Gateway Plaza Project,” said Claudia de Vasco, MTAB managing director. “It’s a fitting start to Miller’s next century—an investment in spaces that reflect who we are as both an iconic arts venue and a welcoming public gathering place, inviting everyone to experience the performances and memories that make Miller so special.”

The Gateway Plaza will serve as a new entrance to the historic theatre and introduce a series of upgrades designed to enhance accessibility and long-term care of the grounds. New pathways will streamline pedestrian flow and strengthen connections between Miller Outdoor Theatre and the broader Hermann Park area. Infrastructure improvements—including new drainage systems and flood-mitigation measures—will address long-standing water issues on the site.

The popular “Dining Bosque,” a favorite pre-show picnic area, will receive refreshed picnic tables and site repairs while preserving its natural, shaded character. Three new shade structures, inspired by the theatre’s iconic A-frame architecture, will offer relief from the sun and create a distinctive sense of arrival for visitors.

CM Sallie Alcorn, Mayor Whitmire,
CM Carolyn Evans Shabazz,
Claudia De Vasco, and CM Julian Ramirez

 

“Miller Outdoor Theatre is a special gathering place for the people of Houston,” Mayor John Whitmire said. “I am excited about the Gateway Plaza Project because these improvements will ensure that Miller Outdoor Theatre continues to serve the community for generations to come.”

MTAB leaders joined City of Houston officials and project partners for a ceremonial groundbreaking on November 13, 2025. Lead funding for the plaza was provided by the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation, the Brown Foundation, and Houston Endowment Inc., with the Chao Foundation securing naming rights for the new plaza. Additional support came from The Fondren Foundation, Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, The Wortham Foundation, The Elkins Foundation, the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, the Edward & Helen Oppenheimer Foundation, the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, and The Clayton Fund.

Construction begins this month, with the new Gateway Plaza set to open to the public in summer 2026.

For more than a century, Miller Outdoor Theatre has been one of Houston’s premier cultural destinations, offering the nation’s largest “always free” professional performing arts programming. Each year, the theatre presents a diverse lineup of more than 125 performances spanning classical music, jazz, opera, ballet, modern dance, musical theatre, culturally specific productions, children’s programming, film screenings, and large-scale festivals that celebrate Houston’s multicultural communities. Longstanding partnerships with organizations such as Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, Theatre Under The Stars, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, and cultural groups representing countries around the world ensure that audiences experience both world-class artistry and the city’s vibrant cultural diversity.

From annual traditions like Summer Symphony Nights, to international arts showcases and family-friendly daytime performances, Miller Outdoor Theatre serves more than a half-million visitors each year. Its commitment to accessibility includes free seating in the covered pavilion and the iconic hillside lawn where generations of Houstonians have enjoyed picnics and performances under the stars.

Located on 7.5 acres in Hermann Park, the venue continues to serve as one of the city’s most cherished public gathering places. Miller Outdoor Theatre is funded in part by the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

[Photos courtesy of Morris Malakoff]