Steel River Playhouse seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate and entertain through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences.

  1. Steel River Playhouse

    Steel River Playhouse seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate and entertain through the presentation of quality performing arts events and education for diverse audiences.
    $225.00 of $5,000.00 goal
610-970-1199
245 E. High Street
Pottstown, PA 19464

About Us

In 2008 the founders of Steel River Playhouse took an abandoned turn of the 20th century department store on High Street in Pottstown Pennsylvania and turned it into a thriving performing arts center. The Playhouse produces vibrant, professional every year performances on the main stage and in the Newberry loft totaling over 110 each year.

These performances include fully staged musicals like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “The Little Mermaid” as well as intimate, moving dramas with audience and cast member in close proximity yielding overwhelming, emotional experiences.
The playhouse also offers technical and artistic training to children and adults with classes in acting, singing, instrumentation, stage management, and technical crew. The classes and workshops are taught by professional staff members who hold advanced degrees from the finest arts educational institutions in the country.

Steel River is a production house, an arts educational facility, and a passionate participant in the revitalization of Pottstown. We also proudly offer all of our programs to under served community members at no charge to them. The playhouse brings over 10,000 visitors, comprised of ticket buyers, cast members, teachers, board and staff to High Street each year to patronize the surrounding businesses! A true Pottstown success story!

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.

Testimonials

A wonderful place to take acting classes, voice lessons, summer camp, and do teen and main stage shows. You can find the right class for every level experience. There are so many opportunities for all ages who like the performing arts. Our two girls practically grew up here and say it feels like home! Our car knows the way by heart to Steel River Playhouse!

Donna Slyh Lohr

The theater is fantastic. The "black box," or main theater is very adaptable for any genre of theater presentation. The Newberry Loft, or upstairs theater is equally flexible and extremely intimate for performances. Actors are truly standing beside audience members. The intensity of the presentation is felt by everyone, not just the actors. Staff members and volunteers are helpful and personable. Smiling faces surround theater-goers. The environment is inviting, liking going to a friend's home for a visit. If you haven't been there, pick a show you think you'd like and try it. It's bound to be a grand experience.

Carol Lynch

I went to one of their productions expecting an ok presentation. It was totally on a par with any broadway productions I gave seen! The acting was totally stage worthy and the set -the set was so well done and not just a couple of pieces thrown together. Highly recommend!

Joyce A. Frattarole Turgeon