About Houston
The largest city in the great state of Texas, Houston is a thriving metropolis filled with businesses, entertainment and science. As the home of NASA it’s home to some of the best scientific minds in the country as well as the center for astronaut training and flight control – making Houston truly out of this world.
However, if you want to let loose outside of work hours, Houston has its own illustrious theater district that has been welcoming thespians and patrons for decades. With so many creative and traditional theater spaces to choose from, there’s bound to be something that fits your vision.
Theater Space Options in Houston
When it comes to finding the right Houston theater space for you, a lot of it comes down to capacity and aesthetic, but here are some more things to consider.
- Lighting
Although the vast majority of established, traditional theaters should come with a lighting rig and control desk, this is not a given – and even if it is, it doesn’t mean that they have the specific lighting needed for your show. Bring in your own!
- Furniture
Especially if you’re using the back rooms for rehearsals or costuming, you might need extra chairs and tables to help keep your show running smoothly. Again, don’t assume there are extra tables and chairs lying around, consider this extra furniture like your props and bring them with you.
- Refreshments
The theater experience starts way before the curtains open with many patrons wanting to get a pre-show food or drink. While some will have bar areas it might cost extra to include bartenders and services, so it might be worth bringing in your own supplies.
Theater Space Companies in Houston
When you have all the stress of putting on a show, it can be helpful to have professionals on standby to make sure it all runs smoothly.
- Avalon Event Rentals
If you’re looking for those big-ticket items like furniture or tableware to finish off the aesthetic of your theater space, then check out the guys at Avalon. Also if you’re looking at finishing touches, they have tons of soft furnishings to bring everything together. This talented team has been working in the event rental field since 2009.
- Cafe Natalie Catering
A Houston caterer since 2000, Cafe Natalie’s strapline is from intimate to extravagant and they do just that and everything in between. With a whole host of awards and over 40 local venue partners, you know that you’re getting great quality food and drink.
- AV2GO
If you’re looking for those extra lighting rigs, audio equipment or other electrical add ons to make sure your show goes ahead without a hitch, then AV2GO are the people for you. They’ve got experience putting on full-scale events like productions and shows as well as conferences, meetings and more, so you’re in good hands.
Pros and Cons of Theater Spaces in Houston
Houston is a pretty great city to live in, but even so, there are some downsides to consider.
Advantages
- Entertainment
Being a city of Houston’s size there are plenty of bars, restaurants, clubs and cabarets for you to enjoy. Whatever kind of cuisine or vibe that you’re in the mood for there is going to be something to match.
- Jobs
With so many businesses and industries calling Houston home thanks to Texas’ lack of tax, the job market is truly thriving in the city and in the surrounding areas. There are multiple multinationals in the city and pretty much every industry is represented.
- Travel connections
Houston airport connects the city not just domestically, but internationally. This is commonly used for the business travel industry with many companies opting to have their meetings in this central meeting point.
- Green spaces
Despite being in Texas, one of the hottest and driest states, Houston actually has the most green spaces of any Texan city. So if you love the heat but don’t want to sacrifice your time relaxing in the parks, this is the place for you.
- Cost of living
Compared to other similarly sized cities and even smaller cities in Texas such as Austin and Dallas, Houston’s cost of living is actually cheaper. This means that if you want a city atmosphere without the price tag, Houston could be just the ticket.
Disadvantages
- Summer heat
Look there’s no getting around it, Texas is hot year-round. In winter this is pretty nice, but in summer it can be pretty horrific if you’re not used to it. Pro tip: find some air con that works and hold on to it for dear life.
- Traffic
Like any sprawling metropolis, the main form of transport is by car. As such, the traffic in and around Houston is notoriously terrible, so if you can, wait to travel after rush hour or carpool. That’s going to be better for all involved.
- Mosquitoes
With the heat and the humidity come the bugs and more specifically the bitey little mosquitoes. Yes, the little insect that absolutely no one likes and somehow nips you no matter how much bug spray you have on.
- Public transport
Even though it’s one of the biggest cities in the country, the public transport city outside of the city center is pretty terrible and sparse. So, if you’re out in the suburbs it might be best to get in the car or get a cab.
- Sales tax
Despite Texas having incredibly low tax as a state, there is a high sales tax of over 8% which if you don’t know about can come as a bit of a shock when you get to the checkout.
Famous Locations in Houston
- Houston Grand Opera
If you’re looking for something a bit more cultured then why not take in a gorgeous show at the Houston Grand Opera? With a Tony, Emmy and Grammy in their midst, you know that it’s going to be a great performance.
- Houston Zoo
Do you love animals and want to spend your days exploring 55 acres of parkland and exhibits? Then Houston Zoo is the place for you. With 6,000 animals from 900 species, it’s the second most visited zoo in the US.
- Space Center Houston
Being the home of NASA, the attached science museum, Space Center Houston, is pretty impressive. Spend the entire day exploring the 250,000 square feet museum which displays over 400 space artifacts.
