February 18th, 2026
Welcome to our series, Spotlighting Wisconsin! This series spotlights arts organizations across the state (including some of our wonderful grantees), and showcases the amazing work they do in their communities, along with sharing the why, or what drives them as an organization to do the work they do.
The Playhouse Theatre Group of Central Wisconsin
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
The Playhouse Theatre Group of Central Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit theatre company based in Stevens Point/Plover, Wisconsin focused on providing performing arts and educational opportunities for youth and families in Central Wisconsin and surrounding areas. What started as a small fundraiser has turned into 10+ years of musicals, plays, workshops, classes, and a lifetime of memories. Since its founding in 2014, Playhouse has donated over $100,000+ towards underfunded performing arts programming and academic scholarships in Central Wisconsin, including new band and orchestra instruments for the Stevens Point Public School District. All proceeds from all Playhouse events are paid back into the community to support area youth in Central Wisconsin.
The Playhouse Theatre Group’s yearly season consists of multiple musicals and workshops, including programming for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Through their Second Act! branch, Playhouse alumni and graduated students return to the stage to perform popular musicals and showcase their performance skills. Exceptional Arts is an inclusive educational theatre program that makes performing arts accessible to all students, including students with special needs, to join their peers (students without special adaptive needs) on stage to perform in a full-scale musical. Involvement in the program boosts self-confidence, social interaction and strengthens communication skills.
The Playhouse Theatre Group is also heavily involved in the Central Wisconsin community, creating accessible and family-friendly events, various themed fundraisers in addition to mainstage productions. Last fall, The Playhouse Theatre Group premiered a sensory-friendly and accessible version of Seussical Jr., including a preshow sensory tour, closed-captioning, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, in which the students also learned some ASL signs to portray onstage with the choreography.
Throughout the many years since the establishment of Playhouse, students have become knowledgeable leaders, regularly leading workshops, choreographing the main stage shows, writing their own plays, and applying their theatre skills to many areas of life. Playhouse believes that theatre equips students with lifelong skills, regardless of what adventure in life they choose. Playhouse alumni have reported how being involved in theatre has helped with their confidence in college and beyond, with a few going on to law school, teaching, and into professional acting and dance endeavors.
The Playhouse Theatre Group believes that theatre has the power to change lives in many ways, and hopes to continue to transform lives with each performing arts experience.
We believe every child deserves a standing ovation!
The Lion King, Jr. at SPASH Theater, Stevens Point (1201 North Point Drive)
Wednesday, February 25th at 7:00 PM
Thursday, February 26th at 7:00 PM
Friday, February 27th at 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 28th at 1:00 PM
