Pioneer Playhouse

Pioneer Playhouse is an outdoor theatre in Danville, Kentucky, arranged with wooden bench seating facing an elevated wooden stage in an amphitheater layout. The open-air structure accommodates several hundred spectators for dramatic and musical productions throughout the warmer months.

The venue was founded in 1950 by Colonel Eben C. Henson and remains the oldest continually operating outdoor theatre in Kentucky. It received designation as Kentucky's State Theater in 1962, marking the first such legislative honor given to any theatre in the nation.

This venue serves as a gathering place for theatre fans from across Kentucky who come for outdoor live performances. The wooden seating and simple stage design create an informal setting where audiences of all ages connect with storytelling.

Visitors should plan for summer evenings from June through August when performances take place outdoors under the sky. Comfortable clothing and a light jacket are advisable as temperatures can drop after sunset.

Several actors who became major Hollywood stars launched their careers by performing on this stage before gaining wider fame. The link between this early venue and their later success places it in the broader story of American entertainment.

Location: Danville

Inception: 1950

Official opening: 1950

Website: http://pioneerplayhouse.com

GPS coordinates: 37.63890,-84.75670

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:08