Illinois Valley Times

A Princeton-based nonprofit theatre group whose mission is to promote performing arts and theatre education has been recognized by the Illinois Theatre Association (ITA). 

State Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills), who serves on the Environment and Conservation and Senate Higher Education Committees, celebrated the award given to the Princeton Theatre Group's Festival 56.

"Congratulations to Festival 56 of Princeton who recently received the highest honor for theatre excellence by the Illinois Theatre Association," Stoller wrote in an Oct. 5 Facebook post. "Great job!"

Festival 56 was founded in 2003 as a partnership with the Princeton Theatre Group and The November Ten, a New York-based theatre company. Four years later, the Princeton Theatre Group renovated the old Bureau County Republican newspaper building and turned it into a 150-seat studio theatre which is now named The Grace Performing Arts Center, according to the group's website.

Festival 56 received the award of honor to an ITA member last month. According to Shaw Local, it is the highest honor of the ITA and recognizes excellence. Festival 56 Board President Ron McCutchan accepted the award presented by ITA professional division representative Tracy Nunally. 

The ITA is a nonprofit dedicated to advocacy in theatre. It has six divisions of theatre which include: College/University Theatre, Community Theatre, Creative Drama, Professional Theatre, Secondary School Theatre, and Theatre for Young Audiences, the ITA website noted.