Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC) is building a legacy as a vital link in Dallas’s cultural history. Steps from the Bishop Arts District, our charming 1914 building offers an intimate theatre experience with comfortable seating and private balcony suites.

Originally opened as the Bluebird Theatre, a silent movie house (1914–c.1922), the building later sported a distinctive faux–log façade, served as an auto repair shop, and was owned by a noted Dallas photographer. After years of decline, the property was donated to BATC by a longtime patron in September 2005. Renovations began in 2006 and concluded in 2008.

Today, our facility features a 170-seat proscenium theatre with excellent acoustics, dressing rooms, executive offices, a box office/concessions area, an art gallery, a learning lab for arts education, and an arts business incubator providing affordable office space for cultural organizations. BATC is an eco-conscious facility: we prohibit spray painting, use non-toxic cleaning agents and energy-efficient lighting, prioritize digital over paper flyers, and provide recycling throughout the offices. From ballet folklórico to fine art exhibits, we host a wide range of disciplines and impact more than 20,000 children and their families each year through performances and student outreach.