Community Artistic Excellence

In 1947, Grosse Pointe Theatre’s founder, the late Russel Werneken, had a vision to create a community theater that would offer quality theatrical productions to the community. He went door to door in hopes of securing funds to achieve his goal and secure a permanent home for the theater group’s productions that would foster excitement and a love for the performing arts. Werneken was just 22 years old and a drama teacher at the time he established Grosse Pointe Theatre as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community theater. His passion to bring the highest standard of theater to audiences while also serving as a dynamic community force for artistic excellence through large stage productions, workshops and educational opportunities is a legacy that continues today.