Pioneer Playhouse

Pioneer Playhouse is Kentucky's oldest outdoor theater. Founded in 1949 by proud Kentucky Colonel, Eben C. Henson, Pioneer Playhouse has been bringing "Broadway to the Bluegrass" for 77 years...and counting!

Each summer, Pioneer Playhouse presents 4 professional main stage productions, which include family friendly classics and original plays by new playwrights. Our annual Kentucky Voices series of original plays focus on some aspect of Kentucky history, heritage and culture. This year, we are working with the Boyle County 250 America committee to create programming in 2026 celebrating our country's Semiquincentennial. 

Pioneer Playhouse is about entertaining, yes, but it’s so much more.  Pioneer Playhouse has been an integral part of our community and our Commonwealth for over seven decades. 

Through our summer youth outreach program, Young Voices, we have engaged hundreds of underserved and/or at-risk youth, many of whom have never before participated in theater arts classes or had the opportunity to see a live theater production.  In summer 2026, we will specifically be working with students from the Kentucky School for the Deaf and kids from the CASA system.

Through our year-round, nationally recognized, 16-year-strong Voices Inside Program, we have worked with hundreds of prison inmates on developing creative thinking and communication skills through playwriting and performance workshops in an overall effort to help fight recidivism.  Writers in our program have gone on to win the prestigious PEN Award for Best Inmate Play in America. Many are also now leading productive and meaningful lives beyond the razor wire.

During our off-season, we often provide our stage and grounds at no cost for community events, such as the 2025 Danville Pride Festival and a local food bank drive to help families in need.

This is a critical time for arts organizations across America. Federal funding has been cut. Pioneer Playhouse, a registered 501 c 3 non-profit, usually receives key grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as from the Kentucky Arts Council. But this year that funding is either completely gone, or in limbo.  Without support, Pioneer Playhouse will simply not be able to continue its mission to provide a unique arts experience and arts outreach to our community, to our commonwealth. We need help at the individual level now more than ever! Any amount makes a difference! Thank you!