True Artistic Excellence
Over the years, Mississippi has become a haven for the performing arts. Music, dance and theatre are represented here in some of the finest venues in the country.
Every four years, the world’s most graceful dancers gather in Jackson for the most prestigious ballet event in the world. Dancers from all other the globe come to Jackson to participate in the USA International Ballet Competition. As one of the world’s elite ballet competitions, Mississippi is honored to host and support the two-week “Olympic-style” competition in which tomorrow’s ballet stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals as well as cash awards and scholarships. Designated as the official USA Competition by a 1982 Joint Resolution of Congress, the USA IBC is held every four years, in the tradition of sister competitions in Varna, Bulgaria, and Moscow, Russia.
Jackson's Thalia Mara Hall is also home to the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the Mississippi Opera and a host of Broadway touring companies. Each offers a full season of performances or concerts, so be sure to check the calendar for program dates and ticket information.
Visitors to Mississippi and our residents alike enjoy a full spectrum of opportunities to enjoy great performances at many spectacular places throughtout the state. The Gertrude C. Ford Center at the University of Mississippi in Oxford is a state-of-the-art facility offering a great calendar of events. In Meridian, be sure to see what's on the schedule at the MSU Riley Center or the Temple Theatre.
Hattiesburg is home to the University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, the oldest in the state, as well as the USM Performing Arts Center and the city's gloriously restored opera house, the Saenger Theatre.
Delta State University in Cleveland boasts the Bologna Performing Arts Center which enlivens the culturally-rich Delta region with excellent performances of many types.
As for theatre productions, on practically any given night in almost every city and town, there's a stage performance of a comedy, drama, operetta or musical that is sure to delight every audience. Let our calendar of events be your guide.