Mission:
The Waterfront Playhouse is a not-for-profit, professional theater that has been an essential part of the rich theatrical legacy of Key West since 1940.
Our mission is to produce stimulating, dynamic and high quality theater that entertains as well as challenges our diverse community of local citizens, seasonal residents and large tourist population and use live theater to strengthen and grow the vibrant, yet ever-changing cultural fabric of Key West.
About Us:
The Waterfront Playhouse has been entertaining Key West audiences for over 75 years. Located in the heart of Key West’s historic Mallory Square, this not-for-profit, professional theater attracts locals and tourists with a wide range of theatrical fare. The Playhouse is an intimate 150-seat theater located steps from Key West’s nightly sunset celebration.
The Playhouse utilizes Key West’s rich talent pool of actors, directors and designers, as well as attracting internationally known luminaries including Terrence McNally, Kelly McGillis, Donna McKechnie, Charles Busch, Israel Horowitz and Carl Hiaasen.
History:
The story of the Waterfront Playhouse begins in 1939 when the original producing organization, the Key West Players, banded together. Including both locals and Navy personnel, The Players began putting on theatrical productions in whatever space they could find, including the U.S.S. Gilmore which was stationed in Key West right after WW II.
In 1960, with the help of Key West Player Tennessee Williams, The Players eventually found a permanent home at The Waterfront Playhouse, a crumbling ice warehouse that had been built in the 1880’s and was situated in historic Mallory Square. The warehouse was totally renovated and transformed into The Waterfront Playhouse (the term by which The Key West Players is most widely known today).
In the years since, major improvements have been supported by the generosity of many donors and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. In the past few years, we have made several major technical and structural upgrades – including a completely new HVAC system, new lighting, new sound, new electrical systems, a state-of-the-art assisted listening system, a new roof, a new lobby and a new stage. Further improvements are on the way.
