SHOWROOM: Keene’s Contemporary Stage with Historic Roots

Opened in the fall of 2021, SHOWROOM is an intimate performance venue in downtown Keene, New Hampshire, dedicated to bringing fresh, dynamic live entertainment to the Monadnock region. As the smaller sister venue of The Colonial Theatre, SHOWROOM was designed to showcase emerging talent and diverse voices across comedy, indie rock, and the local arts scene.

Housed in a restored 20th-century automobile building, the venue draws its name and spirit from the site’s original second-floor car showroom. During renovation, The Colonial thoughtfully preserved key architectural elements, including the original wooden floor—complete with oil stains and burn marks—a visible tribute to the building’s industrial past. The result is a distinctive space where history and creativity meet, offering audiences an up-close, authentic performance experience unlike any other in Keene.

Rentals

  • Bring your next gathering to life at SHOWROOM, where creativity meets professionalism. Our venue combines the flexibility of a modern event space with the technical excellence of a performance venue—perfect for conferences, meetings, lectures, and corporate celebrations.

  • Designed with adaptability in mind, our spaces easily transform to fit your event’s needs. Whether you’re hosting a keynote presentation, a breakout session, or a networking reception, our flexible seating and layout options ensure a seamless experience from start to finish.

  • Impress your guests with state-of-the-art audio-visual systems, including high-quality projection, sound, and lighting. Our in-house technical team provides full support to ensure your presentations run flawlessly and your message shines.

  • Located just steps from downtown, SHOWROOM offers easy access to parking, dining, and hotels—making it the ideal destination for both local and out-of-town attendees.

  • Whether you’re hosting a business meeting, industry conference, product launch, or professional training, our performing arts setting adds a touch of creativity and inspiration that traditional venues can’t match.

Email us at rentals@thecolonial.org

Education

Operatunity

For almost 15 years, the Colonial Theatre, SHOWROOM’s sister organization has been partnering with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City to present Met Live in HD.

When SHOWROOM opened in 2021, the enhanced screening capabilities and intimate space was a perfect fit for this program!

As part of that collaboration, SHOWROOM and the Colonial Theatre developed and have continued to present Operatunity: an outreach program presented to students starting in 5th grade to expose and educate them to the world of Opera.

Each season, Operatunity connects with 200 students and invites them to delve deeper into the subject of an opera, study the components, understand the music, and as a grand finale, attend the Met Live HD screening in SHOWROOM.

This program is generously sponsored by the Putnam Foundation and the Metropolitan Opera House

Workshops

With its flexible seating, SHOWROOM provides the ideal setting for welcoming student and community groups eager to explore our work more deeply.
From imaginative puppet workshops with Big Nazo to inspiring performances by SHARP Dance Company, we’re excited to offer new ways for the community to engage, learn, and connect.

Work With Us

We’re always looking for talented and enthusiastic theatre lovers to join our Backstage and Front of House teams!

Email us at hiring@thecolonial.org

Currently we have no full time opportunities available.