SOKA Performing Arts Center - Aliso Viejo

Location: One University Drive ( hilltop campus Soka University of America)
Why Go There? 1,032-seat world-class acoustics concert hall designed by Yasuhisa Toyota (designer of Walt Disney Concert Hall and Tokyo's Suntory Hall) venue for Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra concerts; hosts Great Pianists Series, a blues festival, children's concert series; 350-seat Black Box Theatre
More Information: Tickets

South Coast Symphony - Aliso Viejo

Location: 5 Pursuit (Coast Hills Church Auditorium)
Why Go There? 65 member orchestra offers accessible, affordable classics, light opera, Broadway and Pops music; sponsors annual Young Stars performance competition for Orange County young musicians, vocalists
More Information: South Coast Symphony

Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center- Anaheim (Anaheim Hills)

Location: 5522 East La Palma Avenue
Why Go There? Venue for Chance Theater an acclaimed ensemble company: main stage plays, musicals, On the Radar (OTR) new works, family series; hosts visiting theater groups; full bar, parking
More Information: Chance Theater

Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Costa Mesa

Location: 600 Town Center Drive
Why Go There? Resident venue for Orange County's Pacific Symphony, professional Tony award winning company South Coast Repertory Theatre's main stage five play season performances, smaller theater season; visiting ballet company performances, Broadway musicals, various music concerts; special events include free outdoor performances; on-site cafe
More Information: Segerstrom Center for the Arts + Pacific Symphony + South Coast Repertory

South Coast Repertory Theatre - Costa Mesa (see Segerstrom Center for the Arts)

Fullerton College Music Department - Fullerton

Location: 321 East Chapman Avenue
Why Go There? Active performance schedule includes concert band, chorales, jazz groups, guitar recitals, opera, symphony, symphonic winds ensemble
More Information: Performance Ensembles

Fullerton College Theater Arts Department - Fullerton

Location: 321 East Chapman Avenue
Why Go There? Performances include active schedule of improv, musical theater, plays
More Information: Events

The GEM Theatre - Garden Grove

Location: 12852 Main Street
Why Go There? One More Productions community theater offers musicals, plays, play readings in 1920's city owned 155 seat renovated theater
More Information: The GEM Theatre

Irvine Valley College Performing Arts Center - Irvine

Location: 5500 Irvine Center Drive
Why Go There? Hosts dance, music and theater concerts, performances
More Information: IVC Performing Arts Center

UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts - Irvine

Location: 680 California Avenue (Claire Trevor Theater, Irvine Barclay Theater, Winnefred Smith Hall)
Why Go There? University of California Irvine Arts Department schedules dance, music, highly rated theater performances throughout the school year; hosts annual New Swan Shakespeare festival in outdoor round theater
More Information: Claire Trevor School of the Arts + New Swam Shakespeare Festival + Irvine Barclay Theatre

Laguna Playhouse - Laguna Beach

Year-round Tuesday-Sunday evenings, some matinees
Location: 606 Laguna Canyon Road (paid parking lot; a free trolley from other pay lots during summer months)
Why Go There? Award-winning, critically acclaimed community theatre since 1920, offers comedies, dramas, musicals, stand-up comedy, family fare; one of the oldest continuously operating West Coast not-for-profit theaters; many world, national and regional premieres featuring notable performers; full bar, light snacks; hosts wide variety of performing artists throughout the year
More Information: Laguna Playhouse

Additional Resources

Curtis Theatre - Brea
Community theater performances; Brea Civic & Cultural Center 1 Civic Center Circle

Summer Concerts in the Park - Brea
Free summer concerts; Wednesdays; City Hall Park: 401 South Brea Boulevard (July-August)

Summer Concert Series - Buena Park
Summer concerts in the park; Fridays 7:00pm; 7520 Dale Street Boisseranc Park (July-August)

Festival of Whales - Dana Point
Event Calendar (March)

Dana Point Symphony - Dana Point
Concerts

Ballet Repertory Theatre - Huntington Beach
Performances

Fine Arts Center Exhibitions - Irvine
Orange County Great Park Arts at the Park (see listing under Arts for entertainment)

Laguna Dance Festival - Laguna Beach
Performances, events annual fundraiser gala

Sea Country Community Center - Laguna Niguel
Special events: 24602 Aliso Creek Road

Free Summer Concerts - Laguna Niguel
Free summer Friday evening concert series Crown Valley Park Amphitheater, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway

Newport Beach Film Fest - Newport Beach
Showcases international, national films (October)

Musco Center for the Arts - Orange
Chapman University's performance venue hosts vocal, music, dance concerts; One University Drive

Backhausdance - Orange County
Contemporary dance company performances

Orchestra Collective of Orange County - Orange County
Community based orchestra concerts

Free Events - Orange County
Links to free summer outdoor concerts, movies, and Shakespeare in the park

SparkOC - Orange County
Searchable calendar of arts events, concerts, performances, fundraisers

Philharmonic Society of Orange County - Orange County
Schedule of quality touring performers various venues

Summer Nights - San Juan Capistrano
Free summer evening concert historic town center park

Music Under the Stars - San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano summer concert series (ticket sales help preserve the historic mission)

South Coast Repertory - San Juan Capistrano
Collaboration family-friendly outdoor summer musicals, plays at Mission San Juan Capistrano

Summer Concerts in the Park - Tustin
Wednesdays 6:00pm-8:00pm; 230 West First Street (July)