Guide to Theaters in Wheeling, West Virginia

Many who visit Wheeling might consider it a town that lost its main industry, but if one were to look under the surface they would see that the arts are alive and well in Wheeling, West Virginia. There are several Theaters that do regular production in the area.

Towngate Theater

Probably the oldest theater in the area, Towngate has been open since the 1950's when an old church in the Center Market district of Wheeling was renovated. Now operated by Oglebay Institute, Towngate Theater puts on a dozen productions a year. The regular seasons usually consists of a musical, a few comedies, a drama or mystery play, and the winner of the Towngate Cinema Playwriting contest. During the summer months local high-school and college-aged youth perform in the Parcel Players. Towngate also has an independent cinema program that operates two weekends a month when there is no play going on.

Brooke Hills Playhouse

Brooke Hills Playhouse is located near Drover's Inn in Wellsburg, WV, about a 20 minute drive from Downtown Wheeling. The season is short because the plays are performed on a stage in an unfinished barn which makes the space unsuitable for inclement weather. They generally do four productions every summer, including one musical and one show performed by and for local high school students. Once the season starts in late June plays run two weeks with no breaks until the end of August. Refreshments are allowed provided they aren't noisy and the full resources of Brook Hills Park are available before the show.
West Liberty Hilltop Players

The on-campus theater of West Liberty State College is one of the best college programs in the state. The fall season is generally composed of a large-scale musical and children's show. The children's show runs during the day for local schools the week before winter break. The Spring Season generally has one small cast show in February and an ensemble piece in the spring. There is also a touring children's show with rotating casts that goes out to area schools to perform and student written and/or directed productions throughout the year.

Wheeling Park High School

Wheeling Park High School is well-known for their Speech & Theater department, and has won state competitions for decades. They have three major performances throughout the year. The Freshman Show is generally a fairy tale and is recommended for parents of actors only. The Fall & Spring shows are generally of a higher standard, even if there is invariably a sloppy actor or two in the cast. Fall is a straight show, spring is a musical. The auditorium is relatively small so reservations are advised at least two weeks in advance.

The theatrical arts are alive and well in Wheeling, WV. The discerning theatergoer has many options available.