Theater

The Penguin Project of McLean County is launching Penguin Players, a new community theater program designed for performers with disabilities who are 22 years and older. The chapter's existing theater program, which modifies full-scale musicals for the stage, serves performers ages 10 to 24.

Community Players Theatre and Nomad Theatre Company have announced the shows for their 2026-27 seasons.

Metcalf picked up her third Tony on Sunday, adding to a stack of accolades gathered across her five decade career on stage and screen.

Oltmanns will replace Rhys Lovell, who stepped down after over a decade in the position.

Ellie Wertz of Honey DEW Acres suggested her 5-acre farm just outside Bloomington-Normal as a spot for Nomad Theatre Company's roaming productions. Co-founder Connie Blick describes it as "kismet."

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2026 season, featuring two Shakespeare plays and, for the first time, an American classic.

The theater and light opera company embarks on a first-time collaboration with the Music Connections Foundation to mount 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' this summer at Heartland Community College

Director Cristen Monson said the play's tagline as "Steel Magnolias" for the 21st century doesn't give the play enough credit. "Paint Night" runs two weekends in Bloomington, at the future McLean County Arts Center Annex.

The contemporary romantic comedy, produced at Illinois Art Station, is the first of three productions in a satellite location while Community Players undergoes renovations.

The production's first national tour stops for two shows in Bloomington on Saturday. Actor Ken Orman, who plays Scrooge, said the story is more relatable than ever.