The Civic Theatre is a 2,967 capacity performing arts venue located in downtown San Diego. It is the performing home of the San Diego Opera, Broadway/San Diego and regularly hosts performances of the California Ballet, presentations by La Jolla Music Society, touring orchestras and dance companies, Broadway musicals and plays, concerts, film presentations, lectures, etc. The Theatre is owned by the City of San Diego and operated by San Diego Theatres for the benefit of the community. Many Civic Theatre performances are part of performance series presented by Broadway/San Diego, San Diego Opera, La Jolla Music Society, and California Ballet. These organizations offer season ticket subscriptions and group purchase opportunities in advance of general public sales.
The San Diego Civic Theatre opened on January 12, 1965. The opening performance featured the San Diego Symphony with soloists Dorothy Kirsten and Brian Sullivan. The evening's activities were co-hosted by the San Diego Opera Guild and the San Diego Symphony. Preceding the concert were opening comments by J. Dallas Clark and Morley Golden. Since its opening, the Civic Theatre has hosted many of the world's greatest talents in fields of opera, classical music, orchestras, dance, comedians, contemporary music, and Broadway. Additionally, it has served as a community gathering place for inaugurations, governmental addresses, religious services, political activities, lectures, educational presentations, and corporate meetings.
