Founded in 2003, Princeton Theatre Group is a volunteer driven, non-profit arts organization dedicated to developing Princeton and the surrounding region as a home for professional theatre and theatre arts education. Festival 56 offers professional theatre in central Illinois and is produced by Princeton Theatre Group.

Learning Stage, the education committee of Princeton Theatre Group, promotes theatre arts education and enrichment for children and adults. Camp 56, a two-week summer theatre camp for children, is sponsored by Learning Stage.

The mission of Festival 56 is to present a wide selection of the most memorable plays and musicals throughout history, from the plays of William Shakespeare to the new generation of Broadway composers.