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Our Mission and Values

Mission Statement

Waukesha Civic Theatre is a non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide quality live theatre performances and educational opportunities that will entertain, enrich, engage, and challenge the whole Waukesha Community.

At Waukesha Civic Theatre we are committed to doing the following:

ENTERTAIN

Enhance our reputation as Waukesha’s prime location for live entertainment and theatre education for the whole community by generating a buzz of excitement about the diverse theatrical productions and the guest experience at the Waukesha Civic Theatre.

ENRICH

Provide opportunities for life-long learning and foster an environment where students, staff, performers, creators, designers, and volunteers can flourish through a vibrant arts education program while upholding a standard of excellence.

ENGAGE

Engage with Waukesha and its surrounding neighbors to connect with local businesses, artists, theatre partners, and residents to provide equitable representation and serve as a collaborative hub for our diverse community.

CHALLENGE

Plan and grow the theatre’s overall fiscal health by honoring the past, embracing new experiences, new technologies, and current marketing trends in order to provide a meaningful experience for our community.

Our History

July of 2021 marked the beginning of Waukesha Civic Theatre’s 65th Anniversary season. WCT is proud to be part of an elite group: according to the American Association of Community Theatres, of the roughly 7,000 community theatres in the United States, only about 100 can claim 60 years of continuous operation.

WCT has undergone many positive changes from its beginnings in 1957 with productions at Waukesha High School. In 1962 the theatre purchased a former church on Washington Street and converted that building into our home until 1999. In the fall of that year WCT moved to a beautiful new facility in the heart of historic downtown Waukesha. The building, formerly the historic PIX movie house, was donated to WCT by Bryce and Anne Styza. Styza, a prominent local developer, saw the power that the theatre could exert in revitalizing downtown. With Anthony and Andrea Bryant leading the charge, WCT raised nearly $2 million through the Live At The PIX Campaign, and construction began in 1998. Theatre arts education has been a part of WCT’s culture since 1957.

Currently WCT offers year round classes in multiple disciplines for all ages through our Academy at Civic Theatre, including many outreach opportunities. Since the theatre opened in 1957 WCT has produced or presented more than 650 shows, over 14,000 people have volunteered, 450,000 audience members have been entertained, and more than 15,000 students served.