Alberta Bair Theater

Alberta Bair Theater, in one iteration or another, has been an integral part of the cultural scene in Billings for more than 80 years and is located on the colonized lands of the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, and Blackfeet peoples.

Originally the Fox Theatre, doors opened November 13, 1931, with a parade, a short-lived street dance, and the motion picture “Merely Mary Ann” with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell.

This elegant theater, with its chandeliers, Art Deco design, dressing rooms and stage, was financed in part by the 20th Century Fox Corporation, which purchased the land from Charles M. Bair. The Fox Theatre had the distinction of being the last Art Deco style theater in the United States built by the 20th Century Fox Corporation and designed by Robert C. Reamer.

The Fox Theatre served as home for the Billings Community Concerts Organization for more than fifty years. It was also the home venue for the Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale and offered live plays and musicals that benefited the Fox Committee for the Performing Arts. This Committee was responsible for bringing such stellar performers as Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, George Winston and Judy Collins to our community. The Fox Committee’s name lived on in the popular ‘Fox Series’ offered each season by Alberta Bair Theater.

Alberta Bair Theater remains the largest fully-equipped performing arts venue in the region. The 1,390 seat venue showcases professional touring companies, featuring musicians, dance, and theater performances, as well as local performing groups. As an extension of its mission, Alberta Bair Theater provides outstanding educational programming for 22,000 school children annually and serves a population of 400,000.