Founded in 1989 by Rennick and Marushka Steele, the Freeport Theatre Festival took root in the rural Allegheny–Kiski Valley, a region once shaped by steel, labor, and resilience. At a time when the valley faced economic decline, the Steeles envisioned a theatre that would lift spirits, strengthen community, and offer local youth a creative “team” unlike any other.

   

From humble beginnings—hayfield parking, gravel floors, folding chairs, and a bare stage—the theatre grew through determination, volunteerism, and community support. While the facility evolved over the decades into a comfortable, modern space, its defining feature remains unchanged: a “blank canvas” stage that places story, actor, and imagination at the center.

    

The Freeport Theatre Festival became nationally recognized for its historical dramas, bringing American and Western Pennsylvania history vividly to life. Productions such as The Spirit of the Revolution, Braddock, Battle of Kittanning, Battle of Bushy Run, and Cauldron of Steel connected audiences to the people, conflicts, and ideals that shaped the region and the nation.

     

Alongside history, the theatre continues to offer classic comedies, original works, music, poetry, and visual arts—reflecting a belief that community thrives through shared cultural experience.

    

As part of America250, the Freeport Theatre Festival stands as a powerful example of how storytelling preserves history, strengthens identity, and reminds us that even in the smallest towns, America’s story is still being told—live, on stage, and together.

  

Freeport Theatre Festival website