Wagon Wheel Center
for the Arts in Warsaw, Indiana.
Wagon Wheel
Center for the Arts
Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Warsaw, Indiana.
Our mission is to provide Performing Arts experiences that create community unity, educational opportunities, and economic growth.
Our vision is to preserve our legacy and create sustainable, affordable programs by becoming the region’s premier location for professional theatre, arts education, and community involvement.
We accomplish our mission by:
- Providing our rural community with exceptional artistic performances in theatre, orchestra, and music.
- Increasing access to arts education services for youth, adults, and professionals.
- Strengthening our local economy through tourism and quality of place.
EDIA Commitment
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility
At Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, everyone has a seat in the circle. We are committed to fostering an organization where all people experience inclusion, fairness, and respect regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or ability, and we resolve to demonstrate that commitment through action. We strive to recognize and address racism and discrimination of any kind, and we will hold ourselves and our collaborators accountable throughout the organization. We value the diverse experiences of our artists, patrons, and staff members, and the power those experiences have to enrich and inspire our local and national community.
All of us at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts feel that actions speak louder than words. We are currently outlining our detailed action plan focusing on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility.
Theatre-in-the-Round
The Wagon Wheel is one of the oldest theatres-in-the-round in the nation. While newcomers and avid theatre goers may be familiar with proscenium stages, where the audience is all facing toward the stage watching the show through the picture-frame-like proscenium arches, theatre-in-the-round creates a more immersive and unique theatre experience. Presenting large theatrical shows like Into the Woods, Mary Poppins, and Newsies presents many creative challenges as most of the shows the Wagon Wheel produces were written and first presented with proscenium stage in mind. The Wagon Wheel has to fit all of the scenery, dancing, and story in a smaller space and can’t use large backdrops to transport the audience from location to location either. But does this mean the actors will have their backs to you the whole time? Of course not! In fact, the choreography and stage direction of the Wagon Wheel’s directors is so effortless and beautiful that the entire performance will feel natural – like you are there in the moment with the actors and the story!
