BE PART OF THE STORY: THE NEXT CHAPTER
Original structure in East Capitol Dr.
ONCE UPON A TIME
In June of 1959, a small group of passionate community members came together to produce Sabrina Fair in the Arrowhead high school gymnasium. That first production sparked what would become Lake Country Playhouse & Academy — a home for storytelling built not by a single space, but by a shared belief in the power of theatre.
Over the next four decades, performances took place across Lake Country. In 2002, that journey led to the acquisition of the historic Masonic Lodge — transformed into the intimate 82-seat black box theatre we call home today.
For more than 65 years, LCP has been a place where stories come to life, artists and audiences connect, and arts education thrives.
And now, once again, we are growing.
“The impact of live theatre isn’t measured in square footage. It’s measured in the students who find their voice, the audiences who feel seen, and the community that keeps coming back.”
THE PLOT THICKENS
Our Playhouse has served us well — but as our programming, education, and community grows, the limits of our current space have become clear. We face real constraints:
Accessibility for patrons, performers, and volunteers
Rehearsal, classroom, and backstage space
Scheduling capacity for productions and Academy programming
Flexibility for new works, innovative staging, and community partnerships
These challenges are not signs of strain — they are signs of success. They tell us it is time to imagine what comes next.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
As we look to the future, we envision a dedicated Black Box Theatre expansion — a flexible, accessible space designed to support the full scope of what Lake Country Playhouse & Academy has become and what it is ready to be.
This expansion is about more than square footage. It's about what becomes possible:
Welcomes everyone, with accessibility woven into the experience from front of house to backstage
Supports education, with dedicated spaces for learning, rehearsal, and collaboration
Encourages creativity, allowing for intimate storytelling, innovative staging, and new works
Strengthens community, providing space for partnerships, outreach, and shared experiences
Honors our legacy, while ensuring sustainability for generations of storytellers to come
A theatre built for storytelling, access, and community.
Conceptual floor plan illustrating flexible performance, rehearsal, and education spaces.
“This isn’t just a building campaign. It’s a community saying: the arts matter here, and they always will.”
THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN
LCP has always grown thoughtfully — guided by community need, artistic vision, and deep respect for the generations who built what we have today. This next chapter is no different.
We are in the early phase of this campaign, listening, refining, and planning with intention. Gifts made now carry special significance: they signal to future donors and supporters that our community believes in this vision from the very beginning.
If you have ever wanted to make a lasting mark on this community — this is your moment.
SETTING THE STAGE Capital Campaign: Phase One
Budget: $1,000,000 | Construction Timeline: ~20 Weeks
Phase One will fund construction of a new Black Box Theatre addition — the first major expansion in LCP's 67-year history. The $1,000,000 goal covers full construction costs, with an estimated 20-week build once funding is secured.
What Phase One Includes:
Black Box Theatre expansion
ADA-compliant entrance and ramp
Increased seating flexibility
Expanded backstage and rehearsal functionality
Infrastructure to support long-term sustainability
Why Now? Our current 82-seat space limits everything from revenue to accessibility and education.
To discuss naming opportunities, pledge payment options, or giving at any level, contact: 📧 devo@lakecountryplayhousewi.org
Wish to support LCP annually? Annual gifts and production sponsorships are always welcome and keep our programming thriving year-round. These gifts are separate from capital campaign support.
The next chapter is ready to be written. All it needs is you.
✨ Be Part of the Story.
Lake Country Players, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. EIN: 23-7325570