The Princeton Theatre and Community Center renovations were funded through a Stellar Grant awarded to the City of Princeton. The City was the primary grant recipient and Broadway Players, Inc. is the sub recipient. Broadway Players is the owner/operator of the facility. They are a non-profit 501-C-3 company primarily funded by corporate and individual patrons. They also generate revenues from the sale of tickets to theatrical performances and community rooms rentals.
Restoration of the Facility
The Princeton Theatre was built in late 1940’s with a grand opening in 1949. The original costs of the theatre was $400,000. The theatre seated about 700 including balcony seating. It was considered to be one of the finest, state-of-the-art theaters in the midwest. Throughout the next six decades it served as the entertainment center for the surrounding communities. The theatre changed hands several times with each new owner doing modifications to the original auditorium. The lower floor was divided into two movie auditoriums and the balcony was eventually enclosed and divided into two small-screen auditoriums. Finally, in 2011, the theatre closed it’s doors for the final time to make way for a new multiplex theatre on the west side of Princeton.
The theatre remained vacant until the spring of 2014 when the renovations began to restore and convert the original theatre into a performing arts and community center. This project was made possible by a multi-million dollar Stellar Grant awarded to the city of Princeton. Mayor Bob Hurst worked closely with the Broadway Players, architect Jonathan Young of Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf and Danco General Contractors to complete the facility with a targeted completion date of June 2015.
Board of Directors
- Kris Schmidt, President
- Maria Weaver, Artistic Director
- Celeste Walker, Secretary
- Tina Porter, Co-Treasure
- Judy Barber, Co-Treasurer
- Amy Brouse, Marketing Director
- Gary Schmidt, Board Member
- Lori Lloyd, Board Member
- Ray McKinnon, Board Member
- Kara Gray, Board Member
- Carl Johnson, Board Member
- Daniel Moon, Board Member
Pants Up Players
The Pants Up Players (PuPs) are the Improv group of the Broadway Players. They perform improvisational skits and shows throughout the year. To learn more about their activities and events following them on Facebook.
