History of Victoria Theatre

There has been a theatre on the southeast corner of First and Main Streets in downtown Dayton since 1866. Shortly after its opening, the theatre withstood two fires and then the devastating 1913 flood. Thanks to diligent community support and love of the arts, the historic theatre has endured. Generations of Ohioans have passed through its doors to see some of the most renowned artists, shows and companies performing on its stage. For more than 150 years, the Victoria Theatre has been central to the quality of life in Dayton. 

However, in the 1970s, the last remaining theatre in downtown Dayton was slated for demolition. Community leaders and volunteers rallied to save Dayton’s oldest theatre and ensure it had a bright future. The Victory Theatre Association was formed and incorporated in 1976, and officially purchased the building in 1978.

Despite all of the repairs made in saving the building from demolition, a full renovation was desperately needed. In 1988, the community rallied again with a $17.5 million project to restore the grand old theatre to its former glory. In conjunction with of the gala reopening in 1990, the Victory Theatre Association became what is known as Victoria Theatre Association (VTA). 

Since then, the Victoria Theatre has been home to a wide variety of theatre and dance performances, including the Dayton Ballet; Muse Machine; Dayton Contemporary Dance Company; Victoria Theatre Association now Dayton Live’s Broadway, Discovery, National Geographic Live, Cool Films, and Family Series, as well as local dance recitals and graduations. 

In March 2020, Victoria Theatre Association announced a new season and rolled out a new brand: Dayton Live. Within days the newly renamed organization had to close down its venues, cancel hundreds of performances and refund thousands of tickets due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dayton Live had to lay off or furlough 80% of the individuals it employs on an annual basis 

In addition to the Victoria Theatre, Dayton Live also owns and operates the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, the Metropolitan Arts Center which is home to The Loft Theatre, the PNC Arts Annex, and the Arts Garage. Dayton Live is one of the region’s premier not for profit arts organizations with a robust Education & Engagement program that typically serves 100,000 individuals annually. 

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