Actor’s Theatre of Louisville

A Cultural Cornerstone on Main Street

Actor’s Theatre of Louisville has played a major role in shaping downtown Louisville’s cultural identity. In 1965, the theatre moved into the historic 1837 Old Bank of Louisville building—one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful landmarks. This move helped spark the revitalization of Main Street, turning it into a vibrant destination for the arts and boosting the local economy.

By 1985, the theatre’s popularity had grown so much that it needed more space to serve both performers and audiences. KNBA partnered with Harry Weese & Associates to lead a major expansion. The project included a new theatre-in-the-round, where the stage sits in the center and the audience surrounds it on all sides—creating a more intimate and immersive experience. A seven-story parking garage was also added, along with upgrades to the original theatre, lobby, and support areas.

What made this project special was how it respected the historic character of West Main Street. The new construction was carefully designed to match the scale and appearance of the surrounding architecture. Completed in 1993 at a cost of $11 million, the expansion allowed Actor’s Theatre to grow its programming and remain a cornerstone of Louisville’s downtown arts scene.