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Theatre Outback

Theatre Outback Entrance
Theatre Outback

Since opening its doors in 1978, Mesa Community College’s Theatre Outback has been an important venue for the college’s performing arts program and a community landmark. For 30 years, the 250-seat theatre has fostered the budding careers of thousands of students, welcomed community forums and hosted the President of the United States.

The theatre, built with an original price tag of about $1.1 million, derived its name from the lack of buildings on the southern part of the campus at that time, making the area “out back” in regard to the main campus.

Theatre Outback Inside
Theatre Outback construction
The opening of the theatre in 1978 allowed the MCC theatre program to grow. Previous theatre productions were performed in the student cafeteria or wherever there was space. The theatre, originally intended to be a lab for theatre students, has hosted several other events over the years, the most notable being an appearance by George W. Bush in 2004 to discuss his proposal for federal grant job training programs for community colleges.

The venue’s primary purpose, however, has been to nurture and train the college’s students in all facets of the performing arts. Numerous musical, theatrical and dance productions have produced award-winning performances. 

Box Office - 480-461-7172
Production Office - 480-461-7946