The Kropyvnytskyi Academic Drama Theatre is the city's main performing arts venue and carries significant weight in Ukrainian cultural history. The theatre company that performed here in the 1880s, under the direction of playwright Mark Kropyvnytskyi, was among the first professional Ukrainian-language theatre troupes at a time when Tsarist policy heavily restricted Ukrainian cultural expression.
The current theatre building dates from the Soviet era and offers a full programme of drama, comedy, and opera throughout the season. Performances are in Ukrainian, and while language will be a barrier for most foreign visitors, the building itself and the cultural significance of the institution make it worth at least a look from the outside. The theatre stands in the city centre, and performances can be checked via local listings.