About

Our mission

To Enlighten • To Entertain • To Educate

James W. Miller Auditorium is located on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and is the premier performing arts venue in West Michigan. We are dedicated to strengthening the cultural life of West Michigan, engaging with our community through outreach and the magic of live theatre. 

At Miller Auditorium’s grand opening celebration in 1968, Western Michigan University president James W. Miller promised that the new building would present the performing arts "not as culture for culture's sake, but for the enrichment of the lives of our students, our faculty and our friends in the community." 

Our state-of-the-art facility is host to entertainment of all kinds: touring productions straight from Broadway, live concerts, comedy events, family shows, and more. Our dedication to community outreach and education runs deep. When you see a show at Miller, know that you are supporting these goals. (Want to help even more? Consider becoming a Friend of Miller.)

Contact us

Mailing address

James W. Miller Auditorium
1903 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5344

Contact Us Form

 

Physical address

For GPS or Driving Directions:
1341 Theatre Dr. 
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Directional Map

 

Box office

(269) 387-2300

Administrative

(269) 387-2311

Our history

The dream of an auditorium on the Western Michigan University campus dates back to 1915 when Governor Woodbridge N. Ferris signed a bill to appropriate funds allowing WMU to build four new buildings, including a center for the performing arts. As America struggled through the Great Depression and two World Wars, a lack of available materials delayed the project more than once until the appropriated funds outlived their days, leaving support for planning, construction and actualization inadequate.

In 1944, the Upjohn Corporation donated money to purchase the old campus golf course, affectionately referred to as "The Goat Hills" because of its hilly terrain. Construction began in 1965 and 5.5 million dollars later, the curtain was raised for the first time on Jan. 12, 1968, to a full house.

Miller Auditorium has always been careful never to lose sight of its purpose in the community's cultural landscape and has become the premier center for performing arts in Kalamazoo and all of Southwest Michigan.

Collage
group
Miller

Sponsorship and advertising

Interested in sponsoring or advertising with the Miller Auditorium? We offer multiple opportunities for businesses to partner with us and grow their community footprint.

LEARN MORE

Education and outreach

Miller Auditorium is proud to assist local non-profits that help meet and promote the needs of our community through our community voucher program.

LEARN MORE

Rent Miller Auditorium

Interested in renting the auditorium for a private event? Find out more through the link below.

Learn More

See what's showing this month!

Take a look at all of the events hosted at Miller Auditorium this month.

Learn More

Connect