Live shows at the Whatley Center
Ten minutes from the property, the Whatley Center at Northeast Texas Community College brings touring musicians, tribute shows, and live theatre to Mount Pleasant on a regular schedule that most people outside the county don’t know exists.
The Whatley Center for the Performing Arts is on the campus of Northeast Texas Community College, just outside Mount Pleasant. It’s the kind of venue that doesn’t advertise much beyond the region, but it consistently books touring acts, tribute shows, and live theatre that would sell out in a bigger city. For anyone spending time in Titus County, it’s the closest thing to a proper performing arts venue without driving to Tyler or Dallas.
The 2025\u20132026 season
The Whatley Center’s “Heart of the Arts” season ran from October 2025 through April 2026, with seven performances spanning tribute concerts, magic, vocal groups, and Shakespeare. The full lineup:
Four by Four
A Beatles tribute act that opened the 2025–2026 Heart of the Arts season at the Whatley Center.
Michael Cavanaugh: A Merry Rockin’ Christmas
A holiday concert featuring the pianist and vocalist known for his work with the Broadway show “Movin’ Out.”
I Am, He Said: A Celebration of Neil Diamond
A tribute to the music of Neil Diamond, covering the catalog from “Cracklin’ Rosie” to “Sweet Caroline.”
The Magic of Bill Blagg
A live magic and illusion show from touring magician Bill Blagg.
The Doo Wop Project: Echoes of the Street
A vocal group performing doo-wop classics and the pop hits they influenced, from the streets of the 1950s to the radio of the 1960s.
Twelfth Night or What You Will
Shakespeare’s comedy performed by Theatre Northeast, the community college’s resident theatre company.
Twitty & Lynn
A tribute to Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, two names that mean something in this part of Texas.
Coming up
The summer brings a children’s theatre camp to the Whatley Center, and the 2026\u20132027 season is expected to be announced in late summer or early fall.
Funny Story: The Mini Musical (Summer Camp)
A children’s theatre summer camp for ages 8 to 16, featuring a performance of “Funny Story.” Classes run Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Presented by Performance Supply Company at the Whatley Center.
Getting there
The Whatley Center sits on the NTCC campus on FM 1735, about ten minutes from the property via paved county road. The drive runs through the same pasture and pine country you see every day. Parking is free, the venue is mid-sized with good sight lines from every seat, and tickets are priced well below what you’d pay for the same act in a metro area.
For anyone evaluating the property as a primary residence or weekend retreat, the Whatley Center is a meaningful amenity. It means the area has a performing arts infrastructure, a venue that can host real shows, and a community that supports live performance. That’s not something every rural county can say.
Tickets and season information are available at whatleycenter.com or by calling the box office at (903) 434-8181.
Plan a visit
See the property, then catch a show.
Walk the land during the day, then drive ten minutes to the Whatley Center for an evening performance. The kind of night that makes rural living feel complete.
Schedule a visit