Your first stop should be to our Calendar of Events to find out what’s playing during your visit – it’s a good way to start building your Fort Wayne Itinerary!
Fort Wayne, Indiana Theatre Community
all for One
all for One productions is known for their productions of traditional work such as A Wrinkle in Time, The Wind in the Willows, and Jane Eyre. They produce seasons in the Parkview Physicians Group ArtsLab on the downtown Arts Campus.
Arena Dinner Theatre
If you're looking for an intimate dinner theatre experience—this is your gig. Arena produces seven productions each year in a historic building in the equally historic West Central neighborhood, located just west of downtown Fort Wayne proper. Expect lots of laughs, singing, food, drinks, and all-around fun.
First Presbyterian Theater
Located at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Fort Wayne, this theatre program was established in the 1960's on the foundation that the arts enrich human experiences—and they're not afraid to do some "edgy" work and use theatre to have civic dialogue. Every year, they do six productions including Shakespeare, Christmas shows, and a variety of other performances.
Fort Wayne Civic Theatre
The Fort Wayne Civic Theatre is truly a veteran of theatre production in Fort Wayne. They've been around for 90 years and produce a full season each year. Their home is in the Arts United Center, located on the downtown Arts Campus, and they also host productions in the Parkview Physicians Group ArtsLab just across the street. You can expect anything from locally written plays (especially during their annual Playwright Festival) to holiday classics (like A Christmas Story or A Christmas Carol) to fun and spunky shows like the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Fort Wayne Youtheatre
I simply adore the Fort Wayne Youtheatre. They've also been producing quality theatre productions for quite a while—since 1934! As you can guess, this company focuses on youth productions, but don't let that fool you. The Youtheatre cultivates talent and produces at a professional level that is a truly special to experience. Their history of performances include plays such as Sleepy Hollow and Alice in Wonderland, and they've also received recognition for their educational productions like The Kid From Kokomo (The Ryan White Story), Ruby Bridges, and Remembering Anne. The Youtheatre produces full seasons and performs in the Arts United Center and the Parkview Physicians Group ArtsLab.
PFW Department of Theatre
The theatre students from this school produce musicals, classic and contemporary comedies, and dramas each season that are sure to please. PFW productions feature both student and community actors in Williams Theatre and Studio Theatre on the beautiful PFW campus. Recent productions include Little Shop of Horrors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Anything Goes.
Fire and Light Productions
Performing in venues throughout the community, Fire and Light is a fully-fledged troupe of over 100 actors and artists, ages 8-18, performing 5-7 productions a year. Whether you’re a student itching for the chance to cultivate your talent, or a Fort Wayne local craving a refreshing Friday night activity, we’re here to engage, educate, and inspire. This year’s shows will include Finding Nemo Jr, Fiddler on the Roof, And Then There Were None, and more!
Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation
Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation is a non-for-profit theatre organization where performers all across Northeast Indiana are able to perform in such programs as Fort Wayne Summer Music Theatre, the IMTF cabaret series, and soon, the IMTF college+ productions.
IMTF has gone from offering one summer musical to now producing a variety of shows including plays, concerts, cabarets, musicals from large-stage performances to off-Broadway quality productions. This year’s shows will include fan favorites including Legally Blonde and Chicago
Summit City Music Theatre
Founded in 2018, Summit City Music Theatre is a nonprofit that produces professional theatre in Fort Wayne, Indiana. From deaf-friendly productions to sensory-friendly shows, they believe that everyone deserves equal access and exposure to the arts.
SCMT performs at venues throughout the community and has staged such shows as The Producers, Guys and Dolls, and A Christmas Carol.
No matter what your interests are, or what your experience level with theatre has been, you're likely to find something you're going to love from one of these theatre companies.
Three Rivers Music Theatre
This theatre company is also new to Fort Wayne, but has wasted no time making an impact. Their energetic musical performances leave audiences inspired in any space they perform in—from their studios to actual theatres, prepare to be wowed.
University of Saint Francis School of Creative Arts
Another university offering theatre as a program for students, the University of Saint Francis School of Creative Arts presents an annual production of high quality that, in the past, have included plays and musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wizard of Oz, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and more. The University of Saint Francis hosts plenty of other productions as well in their Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center (located in downtown Fort Wayne).
While you're at any downtown theatre production, consider pairing your experience with one of these dining options, or check out any of these other great dining opportunities.
Parking downtown is easy, with free parking on weekdays after 5 PM and all day on weekends, and most locations have their own surface parking lots.
When you come to Fort Wayne, there's no shortage of theatre experiences you can have—but more importantly, you won't experience theatre anywhere else the way you will experience it in Fort Wayne.
See what's on stage during your visit at VisitFortWayne.com/events
This post was originally published in March 2018. It was last updated: April 2024
