5th Avenue Theatre Company & STG Announce Strategic Alliance to Boost Local Productions and Events

In a groundbreaking move for Seattle’s arts and culture scene, The 5th Avenue Theatre Company and Seattle Theatre Group (STG) have announced a strategic alliance to preserve and expand live musical theater while maximizing the use of the historic 5th Avenue Theatre venue.

Under this agreement, STG has become the new leaseholder and will manage the theater’s operations, ensuring it remains a vital downtown cultural hub. The 5th Avenue Theatre Company will continue its tradition of producing world-class musical theater for 26 weeks each season, while STG will bring additional programming to the venue for the remainder of the year. The building will remain under the ownership of the University of Washington.

This alliance is not a merger or acquisition but a necessary step to sustain The 5th Avenue Theatre Company’s role in the city’s artistic landscape. For more than 45 years, the company has been a pillar of locally-produced musical theater, creating job opportunities for actors, musicians, stagehands, and other arts professionals. Like many arts organizations nationwide, The 5th has faced financial struggles in the wake of the pandemic. By partnering with STG, the company aims to stabilize operations and focus solely on theatrical production.

“STG is committed to being a good collaborator and friend to our fellow arts organizations, and we are proud to help ensure The 5th Avenue Theatre Company remains a vibrant hub for the arts in Seattle,” said Josh LaBelle, Executive Director of STG.

STG brings extensive experience in operating historic Seattle theaters, including The Paramount, Moore, Neptune, and Kerry Hall. With this new partnership, the group will ensure The 5th Avenue Theatre remains active year-round, drawing more visitors to the downtown core and supporting local businesses.

“This alliance allows us to harmonize our strengths,” said Bill Berry, Executive Director of The 5th Avenue Theatre Company. “It enables The 5th to focus on what we do best—curating and producing first-rate musical theater—while transforming the venue into a year-round cultural destination.”

The University of Washington, which owns the Skinner Building where The 5th Avenue Theatre is housed, supports this alliance as a means to further enhance downtown Seattle’s artistic and economic vitality.

Along with the alliance announcement, The 5th Avenue Theatre Company has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025/26 season, which runs from September 13, 2025, to May 17, 2026. The lineup features an exciting mix of national tours and locally produced favorites, beginning with the debut national tour of SUFFS, a critically acclaimed new musical. The season continues with Chicago, the legendary Broadway classic presented in partnership with Broadway at The Paramount. The holiday favorite ELF – THE MUSICAL returns in a locally produced production, bringing festive cheer to Seattle audiences. Fans of comedy and musical theater alike can look forward to the riotous national tour revival of Monty Python’s SPAMALOT. Finally, Jesus Christ Superstar will be reimagined in a locally produced adaptation of the rock opera classic, closing out a season that promises to captivate audiences and celebrate the power of live performance. For for listing and details visit our Seattle Events Calendar

With this bold new collaboration between The 5th Avenue Theatre Company and STG, Seattle’s Historic Theatre District is set to thrive, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class performing arts.