Theater Info & Seating Chart
211 North Michigan Street
South Bend, IN 46601
Administration Office: 574.235.9198
Administration FAX: 574.235.5604
Box Office: 574.235.9190
Box Office hours: Mon-Fri 10a.m.-6p.m., Sat 10a.m.-2p.m.
www.morriscenter.org
Driving Directions
The Morris Performing Arts Center, located in the heart of downtown South Bend, Indiana is today the home of the Broadway Theatre League, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and the Southold Dance Theater.
For over 85 years, the Morris has thrilled us, scared us, soothed us, rallied us, entertained us and moved us to tears of sorrow and joy. It has drawn patrons from Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana and is the only venue of its caliber between Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis. The Morris continually ranks among the top 50 theaters worldwide as rated by Pollstar Magazine.
History
The Palace Theatre was built in 1921 as a vaudeville house and part of the Orpheum theatre chain. In its early days, vaudeville shows ran continuously with a new act every ten minutes. Patrons could obtain admission for just 22 cents and enjoy the day’s new acts as they made their way on and off the stage.
At its inception, the interiors of the theatre were glorious. Old roses, blues and creams predominated and not one singular architectural style could define the whole of the structure. The architect, J.S. Aroner from Chicago envisioned the theatre as a little palace; a place in which theatregoers could feel as if they were royalty. A trip through the theatre was intended to make a patron feel as if she had just made a trip through Europe. With many different architectural styles including Baroque, Spanish Renaissance, Greco-Roman and even a little Art Deco, patrons entered intricately detailed and carefully planned interiors when they entered “The Palace.”
For more Morris Center history, CLICK HERE!
