Erie Playhouse
Corporate brand
UnclaimedErie Playhouse is a historic community theatre in Erie, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest continuously operating theatrical organizations in the United States.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Erie Playhouse is a community theatre and performing-arts institution based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Its history traces to 1882, when the organization operated as the Peoples Theatre. The company was formally incorporated in 1916 as the Erie Civic Theatre Association, establishing an institutional structure for a theatrical troupe that had already been presenting productions in the Erie area for several decades. During its early years, the organization performed in a succession of adapted or rented venues. In 1882, productions were staged at the H.V. Claus Block on State Street between 10th and 12th Streets. From 1915 to 1919, the troupe used the Reed Hotel near North Park Row, followed by performances at the Keystone Brass Foundry from 1919 through 1927. These moves reflect the practical challenges faced by an expanding community theatre before it had a permanent home. The organization constructed its own theatre on West 7th Street between Sassafras and Peach Streets in 1929. It remained there for most of the period from 1929 to 1965, apart from a three-year interruption during World War II. The property was sold to Gannon University in 1965, after which the company moved to the Penn Movie House in Wesleyville. That venue served as the Playhouse's base until 1975, when fire-safety regulations required its closure. The organization then operated as a temporary, or “brave little theatre without a home,” presenting productions in various local venues. A major turning point came in 1983, when Erie Playhouse purchased and renovated the Strand Theatre at 13 West 10th Street in downtown Erie. The Strand has remained the company's home. It is a proscenium theatre with a current seating capacity of approximately 433 patrons. A substantial renovation was completed in 1993, and further work in 2007 reduced the seating capacity from the original 1983 arrangement of 520 seats. The first production presented in the new home during the 1983 season was Annie. In 2000, The Sound of Music marked the company's 1,000th performance at the Strand. The Playhouse's programming centers on staged musical theatre and other live theatrical productions, supported by volunteer performers, production personnel, educators, and artistic leadership. Its community-theatre identity combines public performances with participation and education. The affiliated Youtheatre program gives students opportunities to study performance and backstage work through classes and a long-running summer camp. PLAYtime uses theatre, music, movement, drama, and visual arts to connect children and families with stories associated with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The institution has received recognition beyond Erie. In 1985, the American Theatre Association named Erie Playhouse one of the Ten Best Community Theatres in the United States. In 2015, it received the Pennsylvania Theatre Guide's Reader's Choice Award for Best Community Theatre in Pennsylvania. Leadership has changed across successive eras, but the organization has retained its central role as a local presenter, educator, and cultural gathering place. Zach Flock became director in 2023, succeeding Kate Lechner, who led the organization from 2017 to 2023.
History
Erie Playhouse originated in 1882 as the Peoples Theatre, when its troupe presented performances at the H.V. Claus Block on State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. The organization later adopted a formal corporate identity as the Erie Civic Theatre Association, incorporated in 1916. Its early history was marked by movement among temporary venues: the Reed Hotel near North Park Row hosted productions from 1915 to 1919, and the Keystone Brass Foundry served as a performance site from 1919 to 1927. In 1929, the organization established a purpose-built home on West 7th Street between Sassafras and Peach Streets. It operated there for much of the following decades, with a three-year interruption during World War II. The site was sold to Gannon University in 1965, prompting a move to the Penn Movie House in Wesleyville. That arrangement lasted until 1975, when fire regulations closed the building. For several years afterward, the company staged productions at a range of local locations, acquiring the informal description “the Brave Little Theatre Without A Home.” The Playhouse regained a permanent downtown base in 1983 by purchasing and renovating the Strand Theatre at 13 West 10th Street. Annie was the first production in the new home. The Strand is a proscenium venue and originally accommodated about 520 seats under the 1983 layout. A major renovation took place in 1993, and improvements in 2007 brought capacity to approximately 433 patrons. The Sound of Music became the 1,000th performance at the Strand in 2000. Across its history, the theatre has been guided by a succession of directors, including Henry B. Vincent, L. Newell Tarrant, Bill Cohen, David Matthews, Almitra Clerkin, Kate Lechner, and Zach Flock. Its work extends beyond stage productions. Youtheatre provides instruction in performance and backstage disciplines through classes and a continuing summer camp. PLAYtime uses song, drama, movement, and visual art to turn stories associated with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library into shared educational experiences. The institution received national community-theatre recognition from the American Theatre Association in 1985 and was selected as Pennsylvania's Best Community Theatre in the Pennsylvania Theatre Guide's 2015 Reader's Choice Awards. The Strand Theatre remains Erie Playhouse's principal venue and the organization continues to operate as an active community-based performing-arts institution.
- 2015
Pennsylvania community-theatre award
[1]The Pennsylvania Theatre Guide's Reader's Choice Award names Erie Playhouse Best Community Theatre in Pennsylvania.
- 2007
Further theatre renovation
[1]Renovation work reduces the Strand's seating capacity from the original 520-seat arrangement to approximately 433.
- 2000
1,000th Strand Theatre performance
[1]The Sound of Music becomes the organization's 1,000th performance at its current home.
- 1993
Major Strand Theatre renovation
[1]The theatre undergoes a renovation reported as costing approximately US$1 million.
- 1985
National community-theatre recognition
[1]The American Theatre Association names Erie Playhouse one of the Ten Best Community Theatres in the United States.
- 1983
Purchase of the Strand Theatre
[1]Erie Playhouse purchases and renovates the Strand Theatre in downtown Erie; Annie opens the new season there.
- 1975
Loss of the Penn Movie House venue
[1]Fire regulations close the Wesleyville building, forcing the company to use multiple temporary venues.
- 1965
Move to Wesleyville
[1]After selling its West 7th Street site to Gannon University, the organization moves to the Penn Movie House.
- 1929
First purpose-built theatre home
[1]The company establishes its own facility on West 7th Street in Erie.
- 1916
Formal incorporation
[1]The organization is incorporated as the Erie Civic Theatre Association.
Products and positioning
A long-established community theatre serving Erie through accessible live productions, arts education, youth participation, and local cultural programming.
Live theatre · 1882
Mainstage theatrical productions
Erie Playhouse presents staged theatre, with musical theatre forming a central part of its community-facing program. Performances take place primarily at the Strand Theatre, a downtown Erie proscenium venue seating approximately 433 patrons. The mainstage offering combines artistic production with opportunities for local performers, technicians, volunteers, and audiences to participate in a long-running theatrical tradition.
Arts education
Youtheatre
Youtheatre is Erie Playhouse's youth-focused educational program. It gives students opportunities to learn about acting, stagecraft, and behind-the-scenes theatre work through classes and a long-running summer camp. The program extends the institution's role beyond presenting performances by introducing younger participants to the practical and creative processes involved in live production.
Arts and literacy education
PLAYtime
PLAYtime uses song, drama, movement, and visual arts to create shared reading and learning experiences around stories associated with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The program treats the arts as a way to make literary narratives interactive and meaningful for children and families.
Marketing campaigns
- Youtheatre
Erie, Pennsylvania
A continuing youth engagement and theatre-education program offering classes and a summer camp focused on performance and backstage learning.
Outcome. Provides an ongoing educational pathway for young people interested in theatre.
- PLAYtime
Erie, Pennsylvania
An arts-based literacy initiative connecting stories from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library with song, drama, movement, and visual art.
Outcome. Creates shared reading and arts experiences for children and families.
Brand decisions
1993
Strand Theatre renovationOtherBackground
The Playhouse's permanent venue required substantial investment to maintain and improve its facilities.
Action taken
Erie Playhouse completed a renovation of the Strand Theatre reported at approximately US$1 million.
Aftermath
The renovation strengthened the physical infrastructure of the theatre, which remained the company's principal venue.
Renovation cost. Approximately US$1 million (1993)
1983
Establishment of a permanent downtown homeStrategyBackground
After years of moving among venues, including the temporary period following the 1975 closure of the Penn Movie House, Erie Playhouse needed a stable performance base.
Action taken
The organization purchased and renovated the Strand Theatre at 13 West 10th Street in downtown Erie.
Aftermath
The Strand became the Playhouse's continuing home and supported the company's subsequent production program.
Sources2 sources
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