The Wortham Theater Center: Where Conversations Took the Spotlight

There couldn’t have been a more powerful or symbolic way to start Journeys North America than stepping into the Wortham Theater Center — one of Houston’s most treasured cultural landmarks. And yet, from the moment we arrived, it didn’t feel distant or grand — it felt right. Familiar, even. Like a place that was ready to hold the kind of conversations that really matter.

The Wortham theatre Fam-Meet® meetings

We were warmly welcomed by Meg Booth, CEO of the Wortham, who shared a personal and heartfelt introduction to the space. She gave us a glimpse into the theater’s story — how it was built from the community’s determination to recover after the 1980s floods, and how it has since become a beacon for the arts in Houston, home to both the Houston Ballet and the Grand Opera. What struck us was not just the building’s beauty, but what it stands for: resilience, creativity, and coming together.

That spirit echoed throughout the morning. Each supplier held their meetings in a private theatre box — a setting that offered space, privacy, and something a little magical. We reminded everyone to be mindful of the low bannisters (worth it for the view!) and then simply let the energy flow.

Our coffee break gave us a chance to catch our breath and take it all in, but it was lunch that truly took our breath away.

Lunch on the stage at the Wortham theatre in Houston

We gathered on the main stage of the Wortham Theater, where Chef Dom and the incredible team from Levie created a lunch that felt more like an experience than a meal. Being on that stage — where so many powerful performances have taken place — made the moment unforgettable. It was elegant, joyful, and deeply human.

And then, something even more special: Elizabeth Hanje, an accomplished soprano, took to the stage and filled the theatre with her extraordinary voice.

She performed “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess and “Signore Ascolta” from Puccini’s Turandot — each note floating up to the velvet balconies and echoing through the walls. She was accompanied by Madeline Sletdoll, a highly sought-after pianist who performs not just in Houston, but all across the country. Together, they gave us a gift we won’t soon forget.

The Wortham didn’t just give us a venue. It gave us a start filled with emotion, depth, and connection.

This is what the Fam-Meet® way is all about — creating moments that matter, in places that move us. And from that very first day, we knew we were building something lasting.

Till next time

Micaela and the Journeys Team