Post Playhouse, a nonprofit professional summer theatre based at historic Fort Robinson State Park, is proud to announce the purchase of a home in nearby Crawford, Nebraska, to house professional company members during its annual summer season. Thanks to the generous support of donors, including lead gifts from two community members, the Peter Kiewit Foundation, and the Dawes County Travel Board, the home is undergoing renovations and will be ready for the 2025 season.
“This new home is a vital investment in our future,” said Dewayne Barrett, Post Playhouse’s Artistic Director. “This home ensures our ability to provide comfortable, professional accommodations for our artists and opens the door to future growth.”
Each summer, the Post Playhouse brings nearly 40 theatre and music professionals from across the country to live and work in northwest Nebraska, offering high-quality Broadway-style performances. While the Post Playhouse has a longstanding partnership with Fort Robinson to provide housing for a portion of the company, those spaces are at full capacity, making additional housing in Crawford essential for continuing to attract top-notch, national talent.
The Post Playhouse is grateful to residents of Crawford, who have helped ensure each summer season is a success by providing rental housing for company members. The addition of this new home will complement that ongoing support and help reduce the annual burden of sourcing multiple rentals in a tight housing market.
Momentum toward 60 years and beyond
In recent years, the Post Playhouse has cultivated long-term financial stability. This includes establishing an endowment and completing capital improvements like new seating and upgraded theatre technology to improve the experience for theatre patrons and professional artists in the historic venue.
As the organization looks toward the future, with 2027 marking its 60th anniversary, the focus remains on building sustainability with operations, housing, infrastructure, and endowment
growth. These are all important to ensure the Post Playhouse thrives for future generations of artists and audiences.
“We are grateful for the continued support of our community and all those who have helped make this housing project a reality,” Barrett said. “Together, we’re building not just a season but a sustainable future.”