Not all great plays take place on Broadway.

When people think of the theater in Michiana, it’s easy to only think of the big names — Morris Performing Arts Center, the Lerner Theatre and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center — but there are plenty of off-the-beaten-path places to check out and support the local theater and music scene in the area.

Whether you’re looking for a venue that’s intimate, one with history or one with variety, you don’t have to look far.

1. Box Factory for the Arts

If there were a theme for most of the entrants on this list, it would be that they’re all about reclaimed space, and the Box Factory for the Arts is no exception. The Box Factory makes its home in the former Williams Brothers Paper Box Manufacturing building, a fixture in St. Joseph since the early 1900s. Since Box Factory took over, the building has become a multi-use facility that houses a gallery and hosts concerts, plays, classes and films.

Upcoming performances include a concert by Riversong and the play “Shutting Down Christmas.” Riversong will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 12, and “Shutting Down Christmas,” written by South Haven playwright Linda LaRocque, will be performed Dec. 10 and 11.

The theater is at 1101 Broad St. in St. Joseph, and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

2. Century Center

While the Century Center is home to many large scale events such as the South Bend (Indiana) Brewfest and Taste of Michiana, it is more than just a convention center. The Bendix Theatre, tucked neatly in the center of the building, has space to fit nearly 700 people and is host to several productions a year.

For a full listing of events, visit the Century Center’s event calendar at centurycenter.org/events. The center is positioned at the edge of downtown South Bend at 120 S. St. Joseph St., and is in walking distance of the burgeoning downtown dining scene.

3. LangLab

In true modern fashion, LangLab maximizes its utility. Situated on the south side of the St. Joseph River in South Bend, just east of Ivy Tech Community College, LangLab’s building also houses the newly opened coffee shop Zen Café and the chocolate factory Violet Sky. The 4,000-square-foot performance space offers visitors the chance to discover a unique and intimate experience, while being entertained by local artists.

The Michiana PlayMakers, a local ensemble, will perform Conor McPherson’s adaption of “The Birds” this month. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, and at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13. The play was adapted from Daphne de Maurier’s short story by the same name, which was famously adapted to the silver screen by Alfred Hitchcock.

4. Barn Swallow Theatre

If you were to drive by the Barn Swallow Theater, you may think the name is a bit of misnomer — it’s not in a barn and there are no swallows to be seen on the building.

The theater calls the former Hope United Methodist Church in Edwardsburg home, but it wasn’t always that way.

For nearly 20 years the BST was housed in an old barn, and the actors and audience actually had to compete with swooping barn swallows, according to the theater website. A fire claimed the barn in 2004, and the organization was forced to seek other options, which led to the theater’s current spot. Fortunately, the theater hasn’t lost its can-do spirit, its community focus or its rural charm.

There will be several performances of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” from Dec. 1 to 4. This month, there will be the annual jamboree and pie auction on Nov. 19, which will feature live music, skits, improv and, of course, pie.

5. Elkhart Civic Theatre (Bristol Opera House)

For a true small town theater experience, the Elkhart Civic Theatre at the Bristol Opera House fits the bill.

The ECT makes its home in the Bristol Opera House, a charming, historic building in downtown Bristol, with a façade that celebrates its turn of the century roots. The building is situated on the main drag (210 E. Vistula St., Bristol), and the sidewalk is often bustling with activity after a performance.

The theater will be giving performances of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” through November. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19, and at 3 p.m. Nov. 13.

6. South Bend Civic Theatre

While it has been around for nearly 60 years, the South Bend Civic Theatre has seen tremendous growth in the last decade, right alongside downtown South Bend.

For years the SBCT made its home in The Firehouse — a historic landmark on Portage Avenue — but expanded to the former Scottish Rite Building in 2007 when a need for more space became vital.

Now, the playhouse is host to more than a dozen productions and boasts more than 125 performances each year, according to its website. SBCT also hosts the Kids4Kids program, which gives students in kindergarten through 12th grade the chance to see daytime performances of plays.

The theater will host a fundraising event from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5, complete with a buffet dinner and live music and performances. Attendees must be 21 or older. Performances of “It’s a Wonderful Life” will take place at the theater from Dec. 2 to 23. Tickets may be purchased online at sbct.org.

7. Beckwith Theatre Co.

The lot where the Beckwith Theatre Co. building sits has seen its share of history.

From a stop on the “Orphan Train” in the 1850s, to a Methodist church from 1859 to 1974 and finally the Knights of Columbus in the 1990s, before being taken over by Beckwith. This gem of a theater doesn’t boast many annual plays, but it makes up for it in pastoral quaintness and history.

Fortunately, the theater will stage performances this month, giving theatergoers the opportunity to check out the venue before the end of the year. This month’s performance will be “Blithe Spirit,” a comedy written by Noel Coward. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, 12, 18 and 19, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 and 20.

The theater is located just off M-51 at 100 New York Ave. in Dowagiac, just north of downtown.

8. Twin City Players

One of the longstanding playhouses in the area, the Twin City Players, has been in continuous operation – in one form or another – since the early 1930s.

The group has taken turns calling St. Joseph and Benton Harbor its home, but settled into its new digs on Glenlord Road in the 1980s.

The theater made significant renovations to the space in the 1990s, including improvements to the heating and air system as well as adding handicap accessible bathrooms.

No performances are scheduled for this month, but December will see performances of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 2 to 17, and at 2 p.m. Sundays from Dec. 4 to 18.

The theater is at 600 Glenlord Road, St. Joseph, just south of Upton Middle School.

9. Battell Center Theatre

The Battell Center in Mishawaka, Indiana, recently completed year-long renovations and received its fair share of upgrades, including the addition of nearly 40 new seats to the Battell Center Theatre.

Taking the stage this month will be the annual performance of “A Como Cabaret Christmas,” directed by Melanie Como, daughter of legendary crooner Perry Como. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 4, 5, 11, 12, 17 and 18. Tickets are $16 for general admission. The theater is at 904 N. Main St. in Mishawaka.

10. Vegetable Buddies

Originally closed in 1980, this isn’t your father’s Vegetable Buddies. Literally. The original owners of the legendary South Bend nightclub aren’t involved in the new incarnation, but they did give their blessing.

The restaurant and music venue opened in May and has been hosting musicians from around Michiana and Chicago since. On the food side, Larry Katz — the former owner of Yummy Cupcakes and a veteran of the food scene in Michiana — joined Vegetable Buddies as the general manager and has created a menu that’s a destination itself; think jalapeño orange hummus, bacon gouda burgers and smoked sugar cookies.

Vegetable Buddies is at 129 N. Michigan St. in South Bend. The hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday and Thursday and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

11. Martha’s Midway Tavern

If you’re a fan of blues and jazz, you’ve probably heard of Martha’s Midway Tavern. For the uninitiated, it’s one of the oldest and best kept secrets in Michiana.

Martha’s has seen famous folks — blues musician Rod Piazza — and infamous folks — Al Capone would visit during Prohibition.

Beyond the bar area, the tavern has a dancehall with tables, a stage and plenty of space to get down and boogy.

The tavern sees its fair share of local and regional bands including Kelly Richie, Billy “Stix” Nicks, Junior and the Ignitors and the Elwood Splinters Blues Band. As a note, Martha’s is a smoking establishment — though many performances in the dancehall are non-smoking — and there is generally a cover charge to attend events.

12. Fiddler’s Hearth

Fiddler’s is a downtown South Bend staple, and has live music almost every day of the week. Best part? No cover.

Whether it’s well-known local favorites such as Kennedy’s Kitchen performing or there’s an open mic night, you’ll be hard pressed to find an open seat in the evening. Seating is pub-style, which means you could be sitting at a table with strangers who are about to become your friends.

The bar has a great tap selection and a wonderful variety of liquor, naturally including a diverse amount of Irish whiskey. The kitchen also serves up great menu choices, and makes some of the best fish and chips around.

Fiddler’s Hearth is at 127 N. Main St. in South Bend. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 11 a.m. to midnight Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

13. University theaters

There are a lot of colleges in Michiana. Fortunately, for music and theater lovers, many of them also have music and theater departments that offer inexpensive tickets to performances. Each college offers many opportunities to see dance performances, plays, and instrumental and vocal music. Here’s what’s playing this month.

Andrews University

• What: Symphony orchestra concert
• When: 8 p.m. Dec. 3
• Where: Howard Performing Arts Center, 4160 E. Campus Circle Drive, Berrien Springs

Bethel College

• What: “Anne of Green Gables”
• When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 to 12 and at 1 p.m. Nov. 11
• Where: 1001 Bethel Circle, Mishawaka

IU South Bend

• What: “The Shape of Things”
• When: 7 p.m. Nov. 15 to 20
• Where: Education and Arts building, 1002 S. Esther St., South Bend

Lake Michigan College

• What: “Peter and the Starcatcher”
• When: 7 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19 and 3 p.m. Nov. 20
• Where: The Hanson Theatre at Mendel Center, 2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor

Southwestern Michigan College

• What: Holiday concert
• When: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 10
• Where: Dale A. Lyons Building, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, Dowagiac

St. Mary’s College

• What: “Censored on Final Approach”
• When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 to 5 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 6.
• Where: Little Theatre