Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts
Nestled just off US30, Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts is a treasured fixture in Northeast Indiana. Established over 65 years ago, the Wagon Wheel has been a beacon of creativity, inspiring audiences and nurturing artists. Its journey began humbly in 1956 when Major Herbert Petrie, a WWII veteran and renowned musician, set up a tent on the very grounds the theatre occupies today. Inspired by the theater-in-the-round he experienced in Washington, Petrie envisioned a similar space for the local community—a dream that quickly became reality. The original Wagon Wheel Playhouse began as a simple structure with a canvas roof, gravel floors, and two chicken coops serving as backstage areas. Despite these modest beginnings, it quickly attracted audiences and talented performers. Early Artistic Directors like Tom Roland, a former Broadway actor, pioneered the theater's tradition of bringing in young talent, many of whom would go on to successful careers. In the 1970s, the theatre was entrusted to a group of dedicated Warsaw businesspeople, later passing to a new partnership that included Roland. This era marked a period of growth, with winterization and updates expanding its accessibility and scope. By 1995, Bruce Shaffner became the sole owner, and in the following years, Artistic Director Roy Hine introduced Equity actors, elevating performance standards and adding youth programs that continue to this day. In 2010, the Wagon Wheel transitioned to a nonprofit, launching youth and community programs, as well as acquiring the Symphony of the Lakes orchestra. Now under the leadership of Scott Michaels, Jennifer Dow, Holly Lantz, and Kira Lace Hawkins, Wagon Wheel continues to uphold its mission of enriching the region through performing arts. From community theater to professional productions, its legacy of inspiration, education, and community impact endures.
