When Scottish-born architect, Thomas W. Lamb, designed the Ohio Theatre, he envisioned “a palace for the average man.” The Ohio Theatre opened in 1928—a Loew's movie house that was a 2,779-seat Spanish-Baroque masterpiece—complete with its own orchestra and theatre organ. In addition to the movies, live stage shows touring on the Loews circuit found a home on the Ohio stage. During the heyday of vaudeville, many top performers crossed the Ohio's stage, including Milton Berle, Ray Bolger, Cab Calloway, Buddy Ebsen, Martha Raye, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Kate Smith, and a young M.C. with a violin named Jack Benny.

The Ohio Theatre thrived as a movie house until the suburban sprawl of the 1960s drew traffic out of downtown. Like many other grand theatres of the past, the Ohio was headed for demolition. In 1969, the citizens of central Ohio mounted a “Save the Ohio” campaign, raising over 2 million dollars in less than a year in an unprecedented effort. The newly formed Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) subsequently purchased and renovated the Ohio Theatre, creating a home for Columbus' performing arts institutions that is the busiest performing arts facility in Ohio.

Directions & Parking

THE OHIO THEATRE located at 39 East State Street, Columbus, OH 43215
 

DIRECTIONS
If traveling from the North, take I-71 South to Broad Street. Turn right onto Broad Street and follow to 3rd Street. Turn left onto 3rd and follow to State Street. Take a right onto State Street.

If traveling from the South, take I-71 North to 4th Street and turn left. Take 4th Street to State Street and turn left.
If traveling from the East, take I-70 West to 4th Street (which is one way.) Follow 4th Street to State Street and turn left onto State.

If traveling from the West, take I-70 East to Front Street/High Street exit. Take High Street to State Street and turn right onto State.

Accessibility

Seating - Both the Ohio and Palace Theatres have seating positions for mobility impaired patrons, and accessible restrooms on the main lobby level. For more information about wheelchair seating, call the Broadway Series Box Office at 614.224.7654.

Assistive Listening System - Both the Palace and Ohio Theatres are equipped with a hearing amplification system for the hearing impaired. For more information about his system or to reserve a headset, please call the Ohio Theatre at 614.469.-0939, or the Palace Theatre at 614.469.1331.

Audio Description - This service is usually offered for the visually impaired on Saturday Matinee performances. Audio Description is a verbal description of the non-verbal action occurring on the stage. For more information call 614.224.7654.

Sign Interpreted - This service is usually offered for the hearing impaired for Sunday Matinee performances. Sign Interpretation provides a translation of dialogue and musical numbers through American Sign Language. There is no charge for this service. For more information, call 614.224.7654.

When Scottish-born architect, Thomas W. Lamb, designed the Ohio Theatre, he envisioned “a palace for the average man.” The Ohio Theatre opened in 1928—a Loew's movie house that was a 2,779-seat Spanish-Baroque masterpiece—complete with its own orchestra and theatre organ. In addition to the movies, live stage shows touring on the Loews circuit found a home on the Ohio stage. During the heyday of vaudeville, many top performers crossed the Ohio's stage, including Milton Berle, Ray Bolger, Cab Calloway, Buddy Ebsen, Martha Raye, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Kate Smith, and a young M.C. with a violin named Jack Benny.

The Ohio Theatre thrived as a movie house until the suburban sprawl of the 1960s drew traffic out of downtown. Like many other grand theatres of the past, the Ohio was headed for demolition. In 1969, the citizens of central Ohio mounted a “Save the Ohio” campaign, raising over 2 million dollars in less than a year in an unprecedented effort. The newly formed Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) subsequently purchased and renovated the Ohio Theatre, creating a home for Columbus' performing arts institutions that is the busiest performing arts facility in Ohio.