Stage 212, Inc. is an organization dedicated to the advancement of the theatre arts in the Illinois Valley. Begun in 1968 as a summer project of the Spring Valley Youth Center (located at 212 W. St. Paul Street, hence the name), the community theatre group was chartered as an independent, non-profit corporation in 1970. Since then, Stage 212 has mounted more than 100 major productions (including a full-scale play or musical every three months continuously since 1979), along with one-acts, revues and traveling shows.
Stage 212 encourages persons with an interest in theatre, with or without previous experience, to become involved in its projects. Auditions for performing roles in each production are publicly announced and open to all. Volunteers are also welcome for stage, set, and house crews. All project participants are invited to become members. The corporation's business affairs are supervised by a Management Committee drawn from the membership.
The Robert D. Manahan Center for the Performing Arts, located at 700 First Street in La Salle, Illinois, is both Stage 212's production locale and its corporate headquarters.
