About PPT



Mission Statement | Evolution | Production History


Our Mission

Pec Playhouse Theatre exists as an educational and charitable organization dedicated to the study, practice, and production of theatre and the related arts. We strive to provide quality theatre programs and related events for the greater enjoyment and appreciation of the people of Pecatonica, its surrounding communities, and the general public. We provide opportunities and encouragement to anyone having an active interest in theatre and related arts, including students and other young people, to use their talents, energies and ideas in the accomplishment of our goals.

Back to Top


Pec Playhouse Theatre - Evolution


Pecatonica is a quiet little town nestled in the beautiful countryside of Northern Illinois, a wonderful place to visit annual events, browse the antique shops and other local stores, away from the big city. Just off of U.S. Highway 20, Pecatonica is easily accessible via many routes.

Pec Playhouse Theatre (PPT) was formed in 1991 by a group of Pecatonica High School students and recent graduates who wanted to continue performing in theater after high school. With the help of some supportive adults, PPT was organized and produced its first show, Out of the Frying Pan. This show was funded entirely by membership dues and proceeds from a car wash. In these early years, shows were performed mostly at Pecatonica High School and occasionally at the American Legion Hall. By 1994, PPT began producing summer musicals with The Wizard of Oz, which marked a new attendance record. In the summer of 1995, PPT mentored the newly-formed Byron Civic Theatre in presenting its first production, Annie Get Your Gun. PPT was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in 1997. In 1999, PPT became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, making most contributions to PPT tax-deductible.

Meanwhile, Pecatonica High School ended its theater program. So, in 1998, PPT produced You Can’t Take It With You as the first of what was to become an annual main-stage show featuring high school students. As time and space at the high school became increasingly scarce, PPT entered into an agreement in 1998 with the Pecatonica Heritage Museum to use space in their building complex. This arrangement allowed Pec Playhouse to expand their schedule to five shows per year. As the years went by, theater seats, air conditioning, heating, lights, sound equipment, and bathrooms were added to the facility. With the help of 2 amazing contributors, Pecatonica Pharmacy and George Anderson, and the support of German American State Bank, PPT was able to purchase the building in late 2004. In 2007 the donation of newer, more comfortable theater seats from a Rockford Memorial Hospital made the PPT theater experience even more enjoyable for our patrons. Since that time, volunteers and friends of PPT continue to work to improve the building and the theater - one amazing project being the complete remodeling of the former doctor's apartment upstairs into a wonderful dressing and make-up area.

We’re grateful to all of our friends and volunteers who have donated their time and energy over the years, and to our patrons and donors who keep us going.

We are excited about the future of Pec Playhouse, and hope you’ll want to be a part!

Back to Top


Pec Playhouse Theatre - Production History

Year Production Performances
1991 Out of the Frying Pan Aug. 9-10, 1991
1992 Theatre Workshops Jan.-Feb.
An Actor's Nightmare/Comedy Improv March 6-8, 1992
Barefoot in the Park April 23-24, 1992
Lo & Behold July 17-18, 1992
Arsenic & Old Lace (w/PHS) Nov. 6-7, 1992
1993 Twelve Angry Jurors July 23-24, 1993
Our Town Oct. 15-16, 1993
The Holiday Show Dec. 5, 1993
1994 The Wizard of Oz July 8-10 & 15-16, 1994
1995 Annie Get Your Gun (w/Byron Civic Theatre) Aug. 11-13 & 18-19, 1995
1996 The Music Man June 26-29, 1996
1997 Fiddler on the Roof May 9-11 & 16-17, 1997
1998 Theatre Workshops Jan.-Feb.
Love Letters Feb. 13 & 14, 1998
You Can't Take it With You (w/PHS) April 24-26, 1998
Harvey July 17-19, 1998
Storytelling Night Oct. 31, 1998
A Christmas Carol Dec. 4-6 & 11-13, 1998
1999 Arsenic & Old Lace (w/PHS) April 22-25, 1999
Children's Theatre Camp June 7-11, 1999
Oklahoma Aug. 6-8 & 13-15, 1999
On Golden Pond Oct. 22-24 & 29-31, 1999
My Three Angels Dec. 3-5 & 10-12, 1999
2000 The Hound of the Baskervilles (w/PHS) April 6-9, 2000
Children's Theatre Camp June 5-9, 2000
Family Man June 16-18 & 23-25, 2000
My Fair Lady Aug. 4-6 & 11-13, 2000
It's a Wonderful Life Nov. 3-5 & 10-12, 2000
2001 A Walk in the Woods Feb. 16-18 & 23-25, 2001
Don't Drink the Water (w/PHS) April 5-7, 2001
Children's Theatre Camp June 4-8, 2001
Clue - The Musical June 15-17 & 22-24, 2001
Deadwood Dick (The Game of Gold) Aug. 3-5 & 10-12, 2001
Deathtrap Nov. 2-4 & 9-11, 2001
2002 The Glass Menagerie Feb. 15-17 & 22-24, 2002
Madam's Been Murdered ... Tea Will Be Late (w/PHS) April 18-21, 2002
Children's Theatre Camp June 3-7 & 10-14, 2002
Oliver! July 26-Aug. 11, 2002
Barefoot in the Park Sept. 20-Oct. 6, 2002
Miracle on 34th Street Nov. 15-Dec. 1, 2002
2003 Lend Me a Tenor Feb. 14-23, 2003
Love Rides the Rails (Will the Mail Train Run Tonight?) April 11-13, 2003
Children's Theatre Camp June 9-13 & Aug. 11-15, 2003
Guys & Dolls July 11-27, 2003
The Diary of Anne Frank Sept. 19-Oct. 5, 2003
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Nov. 14-30, 2003
2004 Dearly Departed Feb. 13-22, 2004
Swing Fever (High School Show) April 23-May 3, 2004
Children's Theatre Camp Aug. 2-6 & Aug. 9-13, 2004
Big - the Musical July 19-25, 2004
The Trip to Bountiful Sept. 17-Oct. 3, 2004
Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus Nov. 19-Dec. 5, 2004
2005 Greater Tuna Feb. 11-20, 2005
Escanaba in da Moonlight (Special Fundraising Show) Feb. 25-27, 2005
The Groom Said NO!(High School Show) April 22-May 1, 2005
Children's Theatre Camp June 6-10 & 13-17, 2005
Man of La Mancha July 29-Aug. 14, 2005
Jake's Women Sept. 16-Oct. 2, 2005
A Christmas Story Nov. 18-Dec. 4, 2005
2006 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Feb. 10-19, 2006
Death by Chocolate(High School Show) April 21-30, 2006
Children's Theatre Camp June 5-9 & 12-16, 2006
Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge July 28-Aug. 13, 2006
The Runner Stumbles Sept. 22-Oct. 8, 2006
Uh-Oh Here Comes Christmas Nov. 17-Dec. 3, 2006
2007 Steel Magnolias Feb. 9-25, 2007
The Curious Savage April 20-29, 2007
Children's Theatre Camp June 4-8 & Aug. 6-10, 2007
Wait Until Dark July 13-29, 2007
Escanaba in da Moonlight Sept. 14-30, 2007
The Sound of Music Nov. 16-Dec. 2, 2007
2008 Love, Sex & The IRS Feb. 8-24, 2008
The Uninvited April 18-27, 2008
Children's Theatre Camp Summer 2008
Godspell July 11-27, 2008
Cheap By The Dozen Sept. 19-Oct. 4, 2008
A Christmas Carol Nov. 21-Dec. 7, 2008
2009 Odd Couple (Female Version) Feb. 6-22, 2009
Happily Ever After Once Upon April 17-26, 2009
Children's Theatre Camp Summer 2009
The King and I July 17-Aug. 2, 2009
Escanaba in Love Sept. 18-Oct. 4, 2009
It's a Wonderful Life Nov. 20-Dec. 6, 2009
2010 Don't Drink the Water Feb. 5-21, 2010
Love Rides the Rails
(Or, Will the Mail Train Run Tonight?)		 April 16-25, 2010
Children's Theatre Camp Summer 2010
Oklahoma! July 16-Aug. 1, 2010
12 Angry Men Sept. 17-Oct. 3, 2010
Yes, Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus Nov. 19-Dec. 5, 2010

Back to Top