Theater enthusiasts should make The Bend part of their next road trip.

Major, national productions often make their way through the Morris Performing Arts Center in downtown South Bend. But that’s not the only way to experience live theater here.

The South Bend Civic Theatre has been putting on shows for decades. This treasured community theater puts on delightful productions with a combination of professional and local talent.

 

2025 Schedule 

Girls in the Boat | Jan. 31-Feb. 9

Girls in the Boat is the story of a group of smart, fiery young women inspired by the true stories of the U.S. women's Olympic rowing team.

Once on this Island | Feb. 28-March 9

The story follows Ti Moune, a peasant girl who falls in love with a boy from a wealthy family on the other side of their island. Joining her on her journey to tear down cultural walls are an assortment of powerful gods.  

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr. | March 28-April 5 

Based on the best-selling book series, Stanley folds his way around the world with his flat-tastic hijinks.

Company | May 2-18

It’s Bobby’s 35th birthday party, and all their friends keep asking, “Why aren’t they married, why can’t they find the right partner, and isn’t it time to settle down and start a family?” As Bobby searches for answers, they discover why being single, being married, and being alive in modern day New York could drive a person crazy! 

The Importance of Being Earnest | June 20-29

What happens when two grand bachelors take on the name Ernest in order to woo the ladies they love… who insist on finding husbands with that name? Join us to discover the importance of being earnest while living in the age of ideals!

Waitress | July 11-27 

Stuck in a small town and loveless marriage, Jenna, a waitress at Joe's Pie Diner, tries to escape her everyday life through the pies she expertly bakes.

August Wilson's Seven Guitars | Sept. 5-7 

Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Wilson's freewheeling comedy takes an intimate look at seven friends and the events leading up to the untimely death of an up-and-coming blues musician. Who or what killed Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton? 

Disney's High School Musical | Oct. 3-12

We're all in this together in Disney Channel's smash hit musical coming to the South Bend Civic Theatre stage! Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High must deal with issues of first love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.

The Crucible | Nov. 7-16

Mass hysteria consumes the town of Salem, Massachusetts amidst the witch trials of 1692 while brewing secrets haunt the locals’ homes and hearts in Arthur Miller’s captivating Tony Award Winning Best Play. 

THe Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Dec. 12-21 

The six Herdman children are notorious for their bad behavior. But when they take over the Sunday school's Christmas pageant, the whole town learns some unexpected lessons about the true meaning of Christmas. 

More About the Civic Theatre

The Civic Theatre hosts major productions in the 200-seat Wilson Theatre. Here you’ll find plenty of spaces for actors to sing, dance and carry out their parts.

Smaller shows take place in the more intimate Warner Theatre, where you might feel like part of the production yourself.

Worried about show quality? Don’t. Every cast member goes through a thorough audition process to make sure the best options are chosen for each show. The Civic Theatre also wants to tell the whole story of South Bend on stage. They do so by having as diverse a cast, reflecting The Bend as a community.

Oh, did we mention the shows are affordable too? The Civic Theatre believes in making ticket prices reasonable, so the entire family can enjoy the performance.