Arts & Culture
Make Room for Joy: Prima Theatre Turns 15
The Lancaster-based organization is rewriting the rules of what fresh theatrical experiences can feel like.
In a former Hamilton Watch Company building—where executives once made precise decisions about time—something far less predictable happens now.
A sudden laugh in the dark.
A song that hits you like a confetti cannon.
The quiet hum of strangers becoming a community.
Welcome to Prima Theatre, Lancaster’s bold little black box that’s rewriting the rules of what theatre can feel like. And in its 15th year, it’s inviting us to make room for joy.
From Café Cabarets to Cultural Catalyst
Fifteen years ago, Prima was just an idea scribbled on a napkin at Prince Street Cafe: What if a theatrical experience made people feel more alive?
The answer came in the form of cabarets beside espresso machines, pop-up concerts in vintage car garages, and Broadway-caliber vocalists performing mere feet from the crowd. It wasn’t just theatre—it was connection, electricity, presence.
By 2018, Prima transformed the old Hamilton Watch Company executive offices into a minimalist, 150-seat theatre with no row farther than four feet from the stage. Today, it welcomes thousands annually and is one of the few theatres in America growing attendance—up 32% since 2019—with an audience 25 years younger than the national average.
The Visionary Behind the Curtain
At the heart of Prima is Mitch Nugent, its Founding Executive Producer—a cultural architect with nearly 30 years in the arts-producing world. What distinguishes Nugent isn’t just his artistic vision—it’s his unshakable drive to create art that wakes people up to life. As NPR put it, he “transforms culture, builds connection, and moves a community forward.”
Equal parts creative disruptor and cultural catalyst, Mitch Nugent has:
- Produced hundreds of events and productions over nearly three decades.
- Brought Broadway powerhouses like Billy Porter, Stephen Schwartz, and Shoshana Bean to Lancaster stages.
- Forged partnerships with Adobe, Pfizer, and Willow Valley Communities to blend artistry with innovative experiences.
- Earned top honors including the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the Pursuit of Equity Award, and the Innovation in Nonprofit Leadership Award.
The 2025–2026 Season: Five Ways to Crack Open Joy
Disenchanted
September 19–October 5, 2025
The princesses are kicking fairy tales squarely in the tiara. This fearless Off-Broadway hit offers a PG-13 remix of royal stories with outrageous songs, irreverent humor, and enough attitude to make a fairy godmother file for early retirement. Come for the sass, stay for the laughter that unhooks whatever’s been holding you tight.
Illumination
November 21–December 23, 2025
Step into the glow. Candlelight. Harmony. Holiday classics reborn by elegantly costumed performers, anchored by grand piano. Every seat is in the music. A peaceful kind of joy that stays—your annual reset in the busiest season.
The 70s Experience
February 6–22, 2026
Bohemian Rhapsody. Dancing Queen. The hair? Big. The outfits? Bigger. The vibe? Unstoppable. This is a LIVE time machine through the decade’s greatest hits—more than a throwback, it’s a high-voltage joyride.
The Complete History of America (Abridged)
April 17–May 3, 2026
Three actors. Dozens of characters. 600 years of history in 90 minutes. Fast, fearless, and hilarious—this is American history as a full-throttle comedy, with zero textbooks and maximum laughter for everyone.
The Motown Club
June 5–21, 2026
My Girl. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Songs that move through you—smooth, glowing, alive. A soul-soaked concert and environmental experience where rhythm lifts you and joy lives in your bones.
Not Just Entertainment — “Espresso for the Soul”
Prima’s impact is as economic as it is emotional—$146 million in local benefit to date, boosting restaurants, hotels, and small businesses. But for Mitch, the real magic is personal: “Meetings. Errands. More doom scrolling—repeat. And then it hits: Is this really it? Prima is an invitation to shared joy and connection.”
Through initiatives like Creative Current, which opens access for youth and underserved communities, and Encore, which provides businesses with post-show business relationship-building along with performers—Prima is proving that joy is not a luxury…it’s infrastructure for a thriving community.
As Mitch puts it: “What keeps Lancaster from being just a drive-through town isn’t only great businesses or schools—it’s soul. Cultural vibrancy. The places sparking fresh energy are the ones we need to fuel.”
Learn more about sponsorship opportunities at primatheatre.org/support.
Your Invitation
No pomp. No pretense. Just moments that lift, connect, and help you live your most vibrant life. Subscriptions mean best seats, best prices, and flexibility when life shifts. Single tickets let you jump in for the nights you need that jolt. Either way—this season is your chance to make room for joy.
Explore the full season and reserve your seat at primatheatre.org/season.
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