The Vortex Theatre
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Vortex Theatre offers a unique, intimate theatrical experience in a small (around 80 seats), 'in-the-round' style venue. Its core value lies in consistently delivering high-quality productions with great actors, featuring a diverse repertoire of classic and newer plays that can range from Shakespearean tragedies to intellectually stimulating works. Patrons appreciate the intimate atmosphere and the convenience of being able to bring their own snacks.
Key Highlights
- ✓Features great actors, consistently delivering strong performances.
- ✓Provides an intimate theatrical experience due to its small size (approx. 80 seats) and 'theatre in the round' (square) setup.
- ✓Offers a wide variety of productions, including classic plays (e.g., Hamlet) and newer, potentially intellectual works (e.g., Rosencranz and Guildenstern), ensuring there's 'always something interesting'.
- ✓Staff are generally described as very nice, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
- ✓Allows patrons to bring their own snacks into the theater.
Standout Features
- ⭐Small, intimate venue that enhances the connection to the performance.
- ⭐High-quality acting ensemble.
- ⭐Diverse and interesting play selection, catering to varied tastes.
- ⭐Option to bring outside snacks into the theater.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Arrive on time to avoid potential issues with staff regarding tardiness.
- →Check the specific play schedule and descriptions carefully to ensure it aligns with the age appropriateness and interests of your group, especially if attending with children.
- →Bring your own preferred snacks and drinks, as they are permitted inside the theater.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Potential for inconsistent staff behavior; one reviewer experienced rudeness over tardiness, which was later apologized for.
- ⚠Cost for groups can be significant (e.g., over $150 for a 'company' outing), though no per-ticket price is mentioned.
Price & Value
While specific per-ticket pricing isn't mentioned, a group outing was noted to cost over $150. The value seems to come from the high quality of acting and the unique, intimate theatrical experience offered, which justifies its 'long life' according to one reviewer. No hidden costs were mentioned, but group attendance can add up.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside snacks are allowed to be brought into the theater.
🚗Parking Info
- •No information regarding parking was mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The venue is described as small with approximately 80 seats, suggesting an intimate atmosphere rather than large, overwhelming crowds. No specific mention of peak busy times, but intimacy implies it's unlikely to feel excessively crowded.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features were mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families with very young children or those seeking typical 'kids' theater' productions, as the reviewed plays suggest a more mature audience focus.
- • If you are highly sensitive to potential initial sternness regarding punctuality from staff (though apologies are made).
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Flex Pass
Discounted (for 6 tickets)Allows you to purchase 6 tickets at a time and receive a discount. Tickets can be used in any combination for performances (e.g., all 6 at one show, 2 tickets for 3 shows, or 3 tickets for two shows).
Includes:
- •6 tickets
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Cebollas and Chimichangas & Zoloft
October 10 - 26
See https://nhccnm.org/events/list/?tribe-bar-date=2025-10-10 for ticket purchases and performance schedule.
Two plays alternating performances at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. 'Cebollas' by Leonard Madrid, directed by Rachel Dodd (Three Latina sisters travel from Albuquerque to Denver to deliver a dead body). 'Chimichangas & Zoloft' by Fernanda Coppel, directed by Miguel Martinez (raunchy and irreverent comedy examining the search for happiness and the mysteries of sexuality through the eyes of two brazen teenagers. Mature audiences).
2026 New Play Fest Submissions
Submissions: October 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026. Plays reviewed: March 2 to May 15. Plays to be produced announced: May 20.
Submissions for 10-minute, one-act, or full-length plays. Submissions via PDF to [email protected], with playwright information only on the cover page. Selected plays will be produced during the Playlist.
New Play Readings
Regularly presented (no specific dates provided)
Semi-staged readings of new works followed by feedback sessions with the playwright and director. Playwrights interested in having their work read should email [email protected] with a copy of their script attached.
Big Fat Mess, The Conservator (2025 Season)
November 14 - 23
Two one-act plays. 'Big Fat Mess' written by Jen Stephenson, directed by RayRey Griego. 'The Conservator' written & directed by Brian Hansen, performed by Bridget Kelly. Features a personal story and a tale of an art conservator.
The Game's Afoot (2025 Season)
December 5 - 28
Written by Ken Ludwig, directed by Yannig Morin. An actor playing Sherlock Holmes must solve a real murder during Christmas holidays when a guest is found dead.
🍎Food Policy
- • Christmas theatre workshops: Snacks will be provided, and lunch is BYO (Bring Your Own).
📅Booking Policy
- • Flex or Season Ticket usage: On the ticketing website, choose Flex or Season Pass. Select Cash as the payment method (system defaults to Credit Card and will request payment if not changed).
🚗Parking Information
- • Overflow parking (Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights): Archery Shop property directly north of the Vortex.
- • Overflow parking (Sunday afternoons): Viet Com Restaurant, across Los Alamos south of the Vortex.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Mike Frese
4 weeks agoTheatre in the round, square actually. Small, might be 80-ish seats. Productions are good enough to justify the Vortex's long life. We saw an excellent production of Hamlet one weekend and then of Tom Stoppard's Rosencranz and Guildenstern the next, a scheduling tour de force.
Melissa Flores
a week agoSmall venue but great actors. Feels intimate.
tina timelord
a year agowe had a wonderful time seeing hazardous materials. the staff was very nice and they had snacks you could bring into the theater. very enjoyable experience.
Jennifer Davis
a year agoFun but we spent over $150 to take everyone from the company to support this local business and the lady was quite rude about one of our people being late. That is, until she found out one of the actors was still in the restroom. She came to apologize for acting rudely. It was a problem when we were running 5 minutes late but she was so nice when they were. Not impressed. However, the actors are great. Suggest for a date night out.
Robin Farmwoman
7 months agoI love this small theater, the intimacy is delightful. They do such a great variety of classic and newer plays. There's always something interesting at the Vortex.