Woodstock Opera House

Category: Theater-Opera

The Woodstock Opera House was built in 1890 to house City Hall, the public library, the fire department, and an auditorium. In 1934 Shakespeare plays produced by Roger Hill starred Orson Welles, who was then a student at Woodstock’s Todd School for Boys. In 1947, a group of citizens formed and supported the Woodstock Players. The Woodstock Players provided acting experience for students graduating from the Goodman School. Now-famous personalities such as Paul Newman, Tom Bosley, Betsy Palmer, Geraldine Page, Shelley Berman and Lois Nettleton were among them.

After much renovation, in 1977 the building was reopened and renamed the Woodstock Opera House Community Center. A spectacular variety of programming is produced or hosted by the Woodstock Opera House. Community theatre, concert series, special events, and children’s activities are included in a year-round schedule of entertainment and educational opportunities provided by the resident companies and organizations. Community individuals, organizations, and businesses use the meeting facilities for activities ranging from film presentations to lectures. A visual arts exhibition series features the work of regional artists in a full spectrum of media.

Woodstock is a charming historic town located northwest of Chicago and east of Rockford. Woodstock Square is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Square offers many shops and retail establishments in a unique and nostalgic atmosphere. You can spend the day shopping and relaxing in the quaint charm of the late-19th century Victorian buildings. You'll also find an eclectic mix of restaurants in Woodstock.