Theatrical Stages of the Catskills
In the Catskills, performance thrives under the open skies and inside historic barns where art feels close enough to touch. Here, creativity is a community endeavor, born from a long tradition of self-made stages and heartfelt storytelling. From Broadway-quality productions to cabarets and children’s theater, every show carries a sense of place.
Miracle of the forest
The Forestburgh Playhouse, affectionately nicknamed The Miracle of the Forest, has been entertaining audiences since 1947. This former barn turned modern theater remains the heartbeat of Sullivan County’s performing arts scene. Musicals, dramas, cabaret performances, concerts and workshops fill its schedule each season, blending history, humor and heart with professional talent from across the country.
Musical heart of Monticello
At the Nesin Cultural Arts Center in Monticello, students and audiences alike find inspiration through integrated arts programming. From chorus and dance to visual arts and drama, Nesin nurtures the next generation of performers through the Aspiring Young Musicians program and a rich calendar of community recitals and exhibitions.
Curtains rise in every town
The Rivoli Theatre in South Fallsburg opened in 1910 and has evolved from a vaudeville hall to an Art Deco landmark that now houses the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop. With a packed schedule of plays and children’s programming, it’s a beloved gathering place where creativity crosses generations.
In nearby Lake Huntington, the River Rep Theatre presents original works and regional tours, bringing professional performances to communities that might otherwise be overlooked. And each September, the Big Eddy Film Festival in Narrowsburg celebrates the art of cinema with screenings, panels and live events along the Delaware.
Other theater venues in the Catskills
- Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (Bethel): World-class concerts, festivals and cultural programs on the historic 1969 Woodstock grounds.
- Delaware Valley Opera Center (Lake Huntington): A lakeside venue hosting opera, theater, and community performances year-round.
- The Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre (Hurleyville): A creative hub for film, dance and inclusive arts programming in a modern space.
- Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop (South Fallsburg): A community theater based at the historic Rivoli Theatre, featuring seasonal plays and youth performances.
- Tusten Theatre (Narrowsburg): An intimate 150-seat venue overlooking the Delaware River, home to concerts and touring shows.
- Forestburgh Tavern Cabaret (Forestburgh): A lively after-show cabaret and dining spot beside the Forestburgh Playhouse.
Here, the curtain never really falls—it just rises again in another town, another barn and another night filled with applause.
