What was the first book that made you fall in love with reading? What were the stories in your youth that you read over and over again because you couldn’t get enough? Imagine a place where stories come to life in a way that recaptures those feelings.  The Archive Theater is that place. We take beloved stories and turn them into visually rich theater productions full of imagination and wonder. We combine powerful storytelling, gorgeous costumes, historical detail, and live music to give our patrons a taste of living in another time, or another world.

Our Mission

The Archive Theater’s mission is to breathe new life into Classical Theater and Literature of the 16th through the 20th centuries. We create new translations and adaptations of beloved stories to make them more accessible to contemporary audiences. We develop exquisitely detailed, extensively researched, and historically informed productions that provide visual context and understanding for the stories we bring to our audience in Austin, Texas.  

Our History

Our first show was a dramatic and immersive Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand in September 2019 which transported viewers to the glamorous and gritty life of 17th-Century Paris. It was both a commercial and critical success and entertained over a thousand people during its 4-week run with a new lively English translation, delicious French food, and fantastic live music. Our second production took us to 19th-century France where we followed the romantic exploits of Napoleon in George Bernard Shaws' The Man of Destiny in February 2020. This show created a tavern atmosphere complete with games for the audience, interaction with the lively tavern owner and servants, delicious French and Italian treats, and live music from the era.

Unfortunately, we had to take a break from live theater because of COVID-19, but we have tremendous plans for more wonderful literary-based productions that engage and enchant the senses. Please help support our return to the stage.