Set against the stunning backdrop of the Black Hills, with ponderosa pine trees towering above you, there is no better setting for a night of theater than at the Black Hills Playhouse. For those who enjoy the theater, the Black Hills Playhouse is a must see on your Black Hills vacation and is something the whole family will enjoy. Take a short 30 minute drive from the Powder House Lodge through the breathtaking Custer State Park to the theater and sit against the backdrop of nature to enjoy a nightly production.
The Black Hills Playhouse has been performing well-loved plays and pieces of theater art since 1946 in Western South Dakota. The playhouse was founded by Dr. Warren M. Lee of the University of South Dakota as a way for those living in rural areas and visitors to the Black Hills to experience high-quality entertainment and also to provide training, education, and employment opportunities to the locals.
The Powder House Lodge is located just a short 30 minute drive from the Black Hills Playhouse and is among many of the Custer State Park and other Black Hills lodging available for you for after the show.
The local community has rallied around the Black Hills Playhouse and has worked hard to support it. Park fees from Custer State Park go towards helping to support infrastructure and environment needs at the Playhouse. In 1998, the Black Hills Playhouse was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant as a way to form a children's theater, which was formed in 1999 as the Children's Theatre Company of South Dakota.
The Black Hills Playhouse has performed such plays as The Best Man, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Secret Garden, Sylvia, and many more. In 2017, the Black Hills Playhouse will be celebrating its 72nd season and will be performing Peter and the Starcatcher, Grease, Young Frankenstein, and Unnecessary Farce. It is one theatrical season that you will not want to miss and everyone in the family will love.
Things to keep in mind when you come to visit the Black Hills Playhouse
- The Black Hills Playhouse is located within a state park, so entrance fees into the park are required.
- Because the Black Hills Playhouse is located in a state park, wild animals are free to roam where they please. This could include everything from birds and bats to squirrels and chipmunks to buffalo, deer, elk, and mountain lions. Always keep a safe distance; your camera has zoom on it.
- Dress can be casual, but keep in mind weather changes. Weather in the Black Hills can change drastically in a short amount of time, so be prepared for both cold and warm weather. It never hurts to pack a light jacket.
- Parking is plentiful at the Black Hills Playhouse. There is plenty of parking for cars, motorcycles, buses, and RVs. There will be parking attendants to park you in a gravel and grass parking lot.