The Ellen Theatre

Montana TheatreWorks, which owns and operates The Ellen Theatre, is a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting to the Gallatin Valley the very best in the performing arts, with the goal to entertain, educate and inspire the audience, while celebrating the human experience, providing cultural and social enrichment for all.

Enter the Ellen and it is as if you are stepping back in time. The elaborate crown moldings, gilded plaster carvings and ornate light fixtures are a reflection of a bygone era, when playhouses were palaces and people gathered to be mesmerized by the magic of live theatre. Designed by renowned architect Fred Willson, The Ellen was built by the sons of Nelson Story, a founding father of Bozeman, and named for the family matriarch. That’s certainly quite a present for mom.

Opened in 1919, when Bozeman boasted a population of nearly 6,000, The Ellen hosted variety shows, silent movies, school plays, town band performances and even an opera featuring a live elephant. Friday night with your favorite sweetheart, the Saturday wild west double feature and the Sunday family concert were staples of life at the historic downtown landmark.

Whatever the event, The Ellen is sure to be a shining showcase for years to come. Stop in and pay her a visit. We hope that you’ll agree, the ol’ girl truly deserves a standing ovation.