North Canton Playhouse Mission

The North Canton Playhouse Center for the Performing Arts is a charitable and educational institution, whose mission is to provide entertainment, enrichment, education and to encourage theatrical arts throughout the North Canton Community, Stark County and the Northeastern Ohio area.

North Canton Playhouse History

This year, the North Canton Playhouse will be continuing the tradition of extraordinary community theatre with its 35th consecutive season. We are proud to offer live, quality entertainment and a variety of productions and programs that allow opportunities and enjoyment for all.

Founded in 1976 by Leonard and Mary McManaway, and John and Sue Leonatti, North Canton Playhouse’s first production, “Mame,” was performed at Hoover High School South Campus in October, 1976.

The North Canton Playhouse was first housed in a rental building (owned by the Hoover Company) as a small 40 seat theatre. Throughout the next 20 years, the North Canton Playhouse developed several special programs and community outreach programs and therefore developed a need for a larger building in which to house all theatre productions and programs. In 1995, the North Canton Board of Education invited the North Canton Playhouse to be a part of the expansion to Hoover High School’s North Campus. The Playhouse raised the necessary funds with the help of various grants and the generosity of organizations throughout the North Canton and Stark County community.

Today, the North Canton Playhouse is governed by a volunteer member Board of Trustees. The Board is assisted by artistic director, Mary McManaway, and her Artistic Board staff, along with a volunteer staff, which assist North Canton Playhouse in providing service to over 50 community organizations. The Playhouse office has paid personnel, consisting of a part time office administrator and executive director.

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The Playhouse produces a strong lineup of entertaining and often, “boundary-pushing” productions each year, including a strong mix of musical theater and youth theater, riveting dramatic plays, holiday favorites and cult-classic thrillers.

From inception to present, the North Canton Playhouse Center for Performing Arts continually strives to give something back to the wonderful North Canton community, by bringing quality entertainment and enrichment into the area. North Canton Playhouse is Extraordinary Community Theatre!