The venue is located in a building that originally operated as the Arlington Theater, a classic movie house established in the 1930s.
The center functions as a dual-purpose facility, balancing a professional seasonal performance calendar with a year-round arts education curriculum.
It features an intimate auditorium design where the furthest seat is approximately 40 feet from the stage.
The facility is a cornerstone of the Arlington Heights downtown revitalization project initiated in the late 1990s.
The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a nonprofit, multi-purpose venue located in downtown Arlington Heights, Illinois. It houses a 329-seat theater that hosts professional live theater, concerts, and comedy performances. Beyond professional stage productions, the facility functions as a school for the performing arts, offering classes in acting, dance, and music for children and adults. The venue is housed in a renovated historic structure that was once a movie theater. It serves as an anchor for the surrounding downtown district's cultural activities. The programming includes Broadway-style musicals, tribute bands, and seasonal holiday shows.
The restored art-deco style marquee on the building's exterior facing Campbell Street.
Book tickets in advance for weekend performances as popular productions frequently sell out.
Explore the surrounding Campbell Street dining district before or after a show, as the venue is situated in a high-density restaurant area.
Check the 'School of the Performing Arts' catalog if you are interested in short-term workshops or intensives during your visit.
Assuming there is on-site dining beyond concessions; the venue relies on nearby local restaurants for full meal options.
The box office and administrative offices may have reduced operations on non-performance days or holidays.
Business casual is standard for evening performances; silence mobile devices during shows.
