100th Anniversary Campaign
In 2023 Miller Outdoor launched a capital campaign to fund several projects intended to improve audience experience. Our anniversary Campaign strives to not only offer the biggest, most experiential performances beyond our 100 years, but to improve upon the visitor experience here at the theatre.
Miller Theatre Advisory Board (MTAB), the City of Houston-designated stewards of Miller Outdoor Theatre, has broken ground on a new gateway plaza on the northeast corner of the venue. Designed by DLR Group with landscape design by Michael Van Valkenburg Associates (MVVA), the new Gateway Plaza represents a key component of Miller Outdoor Theatre’s 100th anniversary capital campaign, which funds improvements that enhance audience comfort, accessibility, and enjoyment.
While the first project is now underway, Miller Outdoor’s 100th Anniversary Capital Campaign continues to raise funds for additional planned improvements, most notably, upgrades to the theatre’s seating area and beloved hillside.
We’re thrilled to have broken ground on the Gateway Plaza Project. It’s a fitting start to Miller’s next century - an investment in spaces that reflect who we are as both an iconic arts venue and a welcoming public gathering place, inviting everyone to experience the performances and memories that make Miller so special.
Claudia de Vasco
MTAB Managing Director
In addition to serving as a welcoming gateway to the theatre, the Gateway Plaza Project will bring thoughtful improvements that enhance accessibility, visitor experience, and long-term care of the site. Updated pathways will improve pedestrian flow and better connect Miller Outdoor Theatre to other areas of Hermann Park, while new drainage and flood-mitigation work will resolve long-standing water issues on the grounds. The “Dining Bosque”, a long-standing favorite spot for pre-show picnics, will receive refreshed picnic tables and site repairs that preserve its natural charm. Three distinctive shade structures inspired by the iconic Miller Outdoor Theatre a-frame will provide relief from the sun and signal the moment guests arrive at Houston’s home for free arts and culture.
MTAB leadership was joined by City of Houston officials and project partners for a groundbreaking ceremony on November 13, 2025, to formally mark the occasion. Construction on the gateway plaza begins this month, and the venue is scheduled to reopen to the public in the summer of 2026.
100th Anniversary Capital Campaign Cabinet
Thomas B. DeBesse, June Deadrick, Susie Distefano, Maritza Gonzales, Robin Klaes, Miriam Meyers,
Mustafa Tameez, Tadd Tellepsen, Shawn Stephens, David M. Underwood Jr., and Jennifer Weston
Lead funding for Miller’s Gateway Plaza was provided by the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation, Brown Foundation, and Houston Endowment Inc., with the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation securing Plaza naming benefits.
Additional support was received from The Fondren Foundation, Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts, The Wortham Foundation, The Elkins Foundation, George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, Edward & Helen Oppenheimer Foundation, Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation, and The Clayton Fund.
Thank you to our Donors!
Mrs. Sonata Abbott
Dr./Mrs. & Dr. Abraham
Jeffry Abrams
Kim Almaguer
Nory Angel
Austin Commercial
Jim & Ginger Bernhardt
Michael Blew
Donald Bond
Leisa Nelson Bowman
Haley Brown
Daniel Bustamante
Catherine Campbell Brock
Dr. Dorothy Caram
Eric Cardona
Gina Carroll
Centerpoint Energy
Romulo T. Cisneros
Jana Cogburn
Dobey Cole Endowment Fund
C.C. Conner
CRC Family Charitable Foundation
Kathryn Crowder
Lynn Dahlberg
Claudia de Vasco & Gabriel Olson
June Deadrick
Ann Deaton
Thomas & Linda DeBesse
Marty DeBusk
Rachel Deskin
Steven Deterling
Susan Distefano
Dee Dee Dochen Charitable Fund
Katherine Dotsey
Lisa Duchman
Michelle Dyer
Dr. John Edwards
Catherine Ehlinger
John Farrell
Diane Faulkner
Dana Fielding
Warren Fisher
Rachel Fisher
Richard Fitzgerald
Simone Ford
Claire Friedman
Kathy Gardner
Maritza Gonzales
Gene Graham
Matt Hansen
John Hayse
Julia Herman
Nikki Hill
Houston First Corporation
Juliet Hsu
Lionel Jellins
Kay Johnson
Franklin Jones Jr.
Melissa King
Robert LeBlanc
Denise & Robert Leisten
Robert Levy & Associates
Hilary Ma
Tricia Mack
Sunitha Mammen
Rebecca Martin
Lisa McGonigle
Lisa Mears
Norma Mendoza
Miriam Meyers
Cyndonii Miles
Allison Miller
Nubia Moreno
Emily Morse
Rodney Nathan
Phong Patrick Nguyen
The Edward and Helen Oppenheim
O’Sullivan Family Foundation
Ginger Page
Micki& & John Pavlicek
Susan & Steven Perin
Scott Pett
Troy Powell
Janet Pozmantier
Patricia Redman
Edward Retzlaff
David Richardson
Marjana Roach
Mike Roberts
Regina Rogers
William Sanderford
Tammy Schucker Norman
Cissy Segall Davis
Saranne Selber
Holly Seth
Hun Sim
Suzie & Don Sinclair
Larry Soto
Matthew Steele
Angela Stegman
Mustafa Tameez
Louise Taylor
Tellepsen Family
Kittsie and Charlie Thomas Family Foundation
Ann Trammell
Allen Ueckert
Christine & David M. Underwood
Thomas Vance
Deborah Waheed
Jennifer Weston
Linda White
Sharon Williams
Barbara Wilson
Katherine Wingfield
Florence Wong
Jenny Yang
Jennifer Young Butler
Francene Young
Nancy Zey