Who We Are

About Festival 56 and the Princeton Theatre Group

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.

Recent News

2026 Audition Information

2026 Audition Information

Festival 56, a professional non-equity summer theater in Princeton, Illinois (located 2 hours southwest of Chicago) announces auditions for their resident summer acting company. Our 2026 season includes: Ring of Fire You Can’t Take it With You The Bridges of Madison...

Festival 56 welcomes Marc Bitler

Festival 56 welcomes Marc Bitler

Having first arrived in Princeton ten years ago, Marc Bitler is excited to return to Festival 56 as the Producing Artistic Director. He previously served as Casting Director and as a member of the acting company for three seasons. As a visionary arts leader, he...

Learning Stage is the Education Committee of Princeton Theatre Group.

BOX OFFICE HOURS

Box Office Hours
Tuesday through Saturday open 3-6 p.m. and also one hour before each show.

For tickets, please leave a message at the Box Office phone 815-879-5656.

LOCATION

Festival 56
316 S. Main Street
Princeton, Illinois 61356