About the New Vic: A Tradition of Theatrical Excellence

Kalamazoo’s New Vic Theatre was founded in 1966 by Kalamazoo residents Ted & Mary Jo Kistler. For over forty years, The New Vic has entertained Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana audiences carving a unique place for itself in the economy and theatrical tradition of the area.

The New Vic’s original production of "A Christmas Carol" (recipient of a "Special Tribute" from The State of Michigan in 1999) and the annual Christmas Concerts featuring The New Vic Theatre Chorus are among Kalamazoo’s oldest on-going holiday presentations and have become an integral part of the holiday season for thousands of Southwest Michigan theatergoers.

Located close to the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, the theatre’s comfortable cabaret-style seating and intimate size, enhanced by a concession that serves a variety of hot & cold non-alcoholic beverages, lend to its unique atmosphere.

The New Vic’s flexible modular auditorium allows for innovative staging ranging from the complete round to conventional proscenium format. Efficient central heating and air conditioning allows for comfortable year-round operation.

Of The New Vic’s more than 325 productions to date, over 80% have been plays introduced to Kalamazoo audiences for the first time. Several plays ("Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", "Green Julia" by Paul Abelman, "Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been" and "The Memoirs Of Pontius Pilate" both by Eric Bentley) were presented to New Vic audiences prior to their Broadway premieres.

The New Vic’s season of productions begins in early February and runs through December 29 each year. January dates are normally reserved for the New Vic’s popular January Concert Series, featuring a variety of musical groups or individual performers.

Playing primarily weekends only — except during the holidays when the performance schedule is greatly expanded — and with only 100 available seats for each performance, The New Vic plays to over 10,000 theatre patrons annually bringing thousands of dollars to the downtown Kalamazoo area.

The New Vic is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation (New Vic Theatricals, Inc) and owns its own facility at 134 E. Vine St. in Kalamazoo.