Erected in 1924, the Craterian Theater has gone through several incarnations, including vaudeville house and movie theater. Recently redesigned and rebuilt from the ground up, today it is a southern Oregon state-of-the-art community performing arts center. The facility features excellent acoustics and sightlines, an impressive array of theatrical equipment, and is operated by a professional staff. The auditorium is intimate, comfortable and seats just over 700 patrons, yet the stage can accommodate large national concert, dance and theatrical tours.
Craterian Performances is the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the theater for the benefit of the community. It presents outstanding arts and entertainment events, produces the Teen Musical Theater of Oregon and Next Stage Repertory Company, and provides the facility to the community as a rental venue and gathering place.
In August 2012, in gratitude for the financial support of James Morrison Collier, the Craterian building was renamed the Collier Center for the Performing Arts. Within it, the Craterian Theater thrives in the heart of Medford as a vibrant facility that enhances the lives of Southern Oregon's residents and visitors. And, since Ginger Rogers danced on the Craterian's stage in 1926 as a 14-year-old and appeared there again in 1993 at a fundraiser for it, as well as having lived in the Rogue Valley for half a century, that stage is now named in her honor.
WHERE: 23 S. Central Ave., Medford
MORE INFO: 541-779-3000 (Box Office), Craterian.org
