Imperial Theatre

Imperial Theatre is a historic performing arts venue in downtown Augusta, Georgia, United States, and has been an important part of the city's cultural scene since 1918. Originally opened as the Wells Theatre, the building stands out for its ornate early 20th-century façade, distinctive architectural details and illuminated marquee above the entrance. With a capacity of approximately 845 seats, the theatre offers an authentic setting for musicals, plays, ballet performances, concerts and other live entertainment.

Inside, the theatre preserves the character of a traditional American playhouse, with orchestra seating, box seats, a mezzanine and two balcony levels offering different views of the stage. The relatively intimate auditorium creates a sense of closeness to the performers, while a modern sound system and stage lighting support a wide variety of musical and theatrical productions. Visitors can also enjoy two concession areas serving drinks and light refreshments, making it convenient to relax before a performance or during an intermission.

The theatre is located at 745 Broad Street, Augusta, Georgia, United States, in the historic downtown district. Its main entrance opens directly onto Broad Street beneath the prominent Imperial marquee, making the building easy to identify when arriving on foot. Visitors travelling by car can look for parking along Broad Street and nearby side streets or use the paid parking garage at Reynolds Street and 9th Street. Parking spaces immediately behind the theatre are privately controlled and are not available for public use. For information about wider transportation connections and getting around Augusta, see the city guide further down this page.

Augusta, a city in the U.S. state of Georgia on the banks of the Savannah River, combines music, sports and cultural events with a distinctive historic downtown. Augusta is known for its strong tradition of sports and music, with concerts, performances, festivals and games spread between downtown and the wider riverfront area. The historic Bell Auditorium is one of the important venues for live performances, while SRP Park, just across the river in North Augusta, South Carolina, expands the range of sporting and other events in the urban area. The combination of city amenities, restaurants, hotels and event spaces makes Augusta a practical destination for visitors who want to combine their trip with a concert or sporting event.

Getting around the city is supported by Augusta Transit, a bus system that connects different parts of Augusta and makes it easier to reach downtown, hotels and major city corridors. Visitors arriving by air use Augusta Regional Airport (AGS), with taxis and car rental services available from the airport for onward travel to downtown and event locations. Road access is further supported by Interstate 20 and Interstate 520, known as the Bobby Jones Expressway, making arenas, sports complexes and riverfront areas easy to reach from different directions. In downtown Augusta, many attractions and amenities are grouped around Broad Street and the riverfront, making it easy to combine an event with exploring the center on foot.

Before or after an event, it is worth walking along the Augusta Riverwalk beside the Savannah River, where the city waterfront connects with museums, green spaces and views toward South Carolina. Broad Street runs through the historic downtown and offers restaurants, galleries, shops and evening entertainment, while Augusta Common is an open urban space in the heart of the center. For an additional perspective on the city, visitors can also explore the Augusta Canal, one of Augusta's distinctive historic and recreational areas. A concert or sporting event can therefore easily become part of a broader city trip combining history, the river, culture and entertainment.