The facility opened in 2002 following a community-led fundraising campaign to establish a dedicated professional performing arts space in the region.
The main theater utilizes a 'fan-shaped' seating configuration, which was specifically engineered to ensure no seat is more than 135 feet from the stage.
The architectural design incorporates indigenous limestone sourced from Wisconsin quarries into the building’s exterior façade.
The center’s stage house height reaches 95 feet, allowing for the complex rigging required by large-scale Broadway musical touring sets.
The Kimberly-Clark Theater features movable seating configurations, allowing it to transition between a traditional proscenium setup and a flat-floor event space.
The building was designed by the architectural firm HGA, which incorporated acoustic paneling throughout the main hall to accommodate both orchestral and amplified sound.
The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center serves as the primary regional venue for touring Broadway productions, concerts, and multidisciplinary arts programming in Appleton, Wisconsin. The facility features a 2,100-seat main theater designed with an emphasis on acoustics and sightlines for large-scale musical and theatrical performances. Beyond the main stage, the building includes the Kimberly-Clark Theater, a smaller, flexible space used for more intimate performances and community events. The center operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering cultural enrichment through educational programming and arts integration. The building is centrally located in downtown Appleton on College Avenue, integrating into the local urban arts district. Architecture includes a multi-level lobby that functions as a public gathering space during performance intermissions. The venue hosts the Fox Cities Broadway Series, bringing professional touring companies from New York and major national tours. It functions as an anchor for the region's nightlife and performing arts scene.
The glass-enclosed atrium lobby provides a clear view of the downtown College Avenue skyline.
Check the performance calendar in advance to coordinate parking, as street parking becomes limited during sold-out shows.
Utilize the multi-level lobby bars early to avoid long queues during the brief intermission periods.
Sign up for the venue's email newsletter to receive early access notifications for popular Broadway tour dates.
Do not arrive exactly at the start time, as late seating is often restricted to specific breaks in the performance to minimize disruption.
Operates year-round with a peak season from late autumn through spring; the box office is typically closed on major holidays.
Business casual is standard for evening performances; cameras and recording devices are strictly prohibited inside the theaters during shows.
