Our Mission

Steel River Playhouse is a non-profit theatre and education organization dedicated to sharing stories that reflect our collective humanity by providing a nurturing and empowering environment to represent and serve our diverse community.

Make a Tax Deductible Donation to Steel River

Our Vision

We are part of a growing number of performing arts organizations creating a new paradigm for American theater. As a “gateway” theater promoting individual, audience, and community development through performing arts education and events. Steel River Playhouse is located in historic Pottstown, Pennsylvania and we are committed to its creative and economic revitalization.

We meld the traditions of volunteerism, camaraderie, and entertainment of community theater, with the artistic goals, education, and skilled staff of professional theater. Our gateway theater:

  • Attracts new audiences to live theater, with convenient, affordable and high quality performances, comprehensive educational offerings, and enriching volunteer participation in all aspects of theatre arts, both onstage and off.
  • Embraces emerging and established artists, allowing them to take risks, stretch their skills, and present new work.
  • Supports community, as a magnet destination promoting Pottstown’s revival as a cultural hub.
  • Encourages creative exploration and skill-building for students and volunteers of all ages, working side-by-side with professional instructors, performers, directors, and designers.

Great Reasons to Support Steel River

There is something very special going on at 245 East High Street in Pottstown, PA that brings together the transformative power of the performing arts with the much needed economic growth of downtown and it is called Steel River Playhouse. You should support Steel River because it touches so many lives in a productive way. Your support allows you to make a positive change in our community and you can see it as an investment in the future of our children and all residents of this historic Pennsylvania town.

Did you know that Steel River…

  • Reaches approximately 2,000 area children per year, many of whom are under-served or at-risk. And that the scholarship program ensures that no child is turned away for not having the economic means to pay for the lesson, camp or workshop.
  • Offers private instruction in voice, acting, piano, guitar, flute and trumpet all taught by professional artists holding advanced degrees from the country’s most prestigious universities.
  • Brings 1,000 Pottstown School District students to the theater every year at no charge to them or their school to see our annual Theater for Young Audiences show.
  • Created a special annual program for the Olivet Boys and Girls club to introduce these wonderful kids to the art of playwriting.
  • Assesses its educational program achievement in accordance with published Pennsylvania mandates and guidelines.
  • Offers summer camp in July/August. And makes scholarships available to camp.
  • Is a “Gateway” arts organization that welcomes and introduces amateur community members to the world of professional theater by allowing them to work under the guidance of a staff of professional artists.
  • Employs professional choreographers, actors, directors, singers, musicians and technical designers for each and every show.
  • Produces over 110 individual performances every year.
  • Presents fully staged plays, jazz ensembles, choirs, opera and comedy improvisation throughout the season.
  • Brings over ten thousand ticket buyers to High Street every year that patronize local businesses.
  • Employs a staff of professional arts administrators.

When you support Steel River you make it possible for under-served children to experience the arts, expand their world view and grow confidence and capability. You make it possible for area businesses and restaurants to thrive with visiting, theater going patrons. You make it possible for community members to gather together with a sense of pride in a world class performing arts facility.

When you support Steel River you support Pottstown and its most valuable asset: its people. Won’t you join us?

OUR LOCATION

In 2008 Steel River purchased a turn of the 20th century abandoned department store in the once thriving downtown of Pottstown and transformed it into a 2.4 million dollar performing arts center. Our playhouse serves as an anchor for the community to rebuild and develop a new thriving economy and as a gathering place for shared artistic experience. Pottstown labors under a higher than state average poverty level and Steel River exists to serve the children and adults of this distressed population. We also stand as an artistic and entertainment destination for the tri county area.

Steel River Playhouse is a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization. All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The official registration and financial information of Village Productions may be obtained from the Pennsylvania department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania 1(800)732-0999.