711 Spring Street, Bastrop, TX 78602
Phone: (512) 200-3826
Email: plays@bastropoperahouse.org
Website: www.bastropoperahouse.org
Imagine stepping into a beautifully restored 1889 performance hall—the warm glow of historic stage lights, intimate seating, and the murmur of excited neighbours as the curtain rises. That’s the Bastrop Opera House experience for you – a century old space with fresh energy.
Right now, the venue is buzzing with life and creativity with theatrical and musical performances and dinner shows on stage. Every year is different with around 12 productions of professional-quality and youth performances with over 100 shows that sell out quickly.
The Opera House is more than evening shows—it’s a hub for budding artists. Their Youth Academy supports up to 70 young actors, singers, and dancers through year‑round classes, impressive summer camps, and energetic youth-led productions. People love how it builds their confidence, creativity, and community spirit
The History of Bastrop Opera House
Bastrop is a town with a rich history, known for preserving some of its historic buildings. One of the oldest buildings in town is the Bastrop Opera House, which remains central to the community life is in Downtown Bastrop.
Bastrop merchants P. Otto Elzner and S.D. Green built the Opera House in 1889 at an estimated cost of $15,000. Construction began at the rear of Elzner’s store, just off Main Street, on the site of an old stable. The building was modeled after the Opera House in Taylor, Texas. The brick structure included large fireplaces in the east and west walls to provide heat during the winter. The first public event was held on October 1, 1889, a military ball and supper attended by over 60 couples. There were live stage shows in the late 19th century but with the coming of silent movies in the early 20th century, the building was transformed into a movie theater.
In 1909, Elzner became the sole owner of the property but went bankrupt soon afterward and relinquished ownership of the Opera House. After 1910, the Opera House was converted into a motion picture theater, which operated throughout World War II when soldiers from nearby Camp Swift frequented the theater.
By the late fifties and early sixties, the theater became a center for teenagers, known as the Teen Tower, hosting dances, parties, and other activities. Facing the threat of a sheriff’s sale due to unpaid taxes, a non-profit organization, Bastrop Opera House, Inc., was chartered in 1979. The non-profit corporation took possession of the building and launched a historic restoration program with professional guidance and volunteer efforts.
The building has been officially recognized by both the National Register of Historic Places and the Texas Historical Commission for its historical significance in Texas. Designated as a registered landmark, the Bastrop Opera House continues to function as a vital historical and cultural venue for the community.