The Mission of the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild is to:

  • Produce a broad spectrum of high quality theatrical presentations,
  • Delight and challenge our audience,
  • Provide hands-on learning experiences in all aspects of theatre production for children and adults, and
  • Nurture and celebrate the achievements of our volunteers.

The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild conducts itself according to the following Values:

  • Integrity - We believe that honesty, respect, and fairness are essential to everything we do.
  • Encouragement - We promote the expression of ideas, foster individual creativity and effort, and embrace the acceptance of others.
  • Cooperation - We believe collaboration, inclusiveness, and teamwork are vital for a quality organization and its growth.
  • Recognition - We are committed to the acknowledgment and open appreciation of all our volunteers.
  • Enjoyment - Our success is dependent on an atmosphere which is fun, friendly, comfortable, and openly positive for everyone.

CVTG is a nonprofit organization, governed by a board of directors and bylaws. Voting privileges at the annual membership meeting are granted to all season ticket holders. Members also receive a monthly newsletter, enjoy priority seating and first invitations to special events, and have reduced rates over single show prices.

CVTG welcomes your questions and feedback. Call or write to get on the newsletter mailing list, or save paper and read the newsletters here on our web site.

HISTORY

Over the years, many attempts were made to form a lasting community theatre in the Chippewa Valley area. On May 19, 1981, a wonderful thing happened.  Fifty people showed up at Eau Claire Parks and Rec building, and with $60 from passing the hat, the Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild was born.

In the beginning, rehearsals, meetings, set building, props and costume storage all happened at Parks & Rec. The newly formed Theatre Guild performed its first production, Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, The Mikado, in the old Junior High Auditorium.  Beginning with the first full season in 1982, the Theatre Guild spent many years performing at a local high school.  As their volunteer and subscriber base expanded, the organization needed to find a new home.  In 1988, office and scenic construction space was rented in the new Eau Claire Regional Arts Center and the Guild began performing on the State Theatre stage.  Since then, the Guild has also performed at a handful of other venues.

Each spring, the Theatre Guild awards scholarships to high schoolers and college students pursuing degrees in theatre and music. For the past 16 years, The Golden Trunk Players, a volunteer high school theatre troupe of the Guild, has entertained children and their families in the form of stories, songs and skits.  They perform at local libraries, daycares and area events throughout the summer.

In 2001, the Guild established a Summer Youth Drama Camp -- a series of acting classes, dancing and technical theatre classes for children, ages 4-18.  The organization also expanded their education offerings with a High School Shakespeare Workshop in partnership with the UW-Eau Claire. The workshop is designed to give students the chance to explore the language of the Elizabethans, to learn how to interpret and perform Shakespeare, and the opportunity to design the elements of a classic Shakespeare play.  

In 2005, the Guild purchased an old Salvation Army building and converted it to a facility housing office space, a box office, rehearsal space, kitchen, and a small performance venue.  The new “Season on the Grand” opened in 2006 with the classic American tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  The Theatre Guild now produces a mainstage season, the Season on the Grand, plus children’s shows, family productions, interactive plays and special events.

In recent years, large prop storage and set construction has taken place in Building 17 of Banbury Place on Galloway Street.