About

Fresh theatrical experiences since 2010.

Live your best life with electrifying performances at Prima.

Dive into unforgettable concerts and contemporary theatre, all from the comfort of a uniquely intimate venue. Nestled on Lancaster City's charming West Side, Prima offers free parking, unmatched comfort, and jaw-dropping talent. Join the adventure and make Prima your go-to for the region’s most thrilling and welcoming performance experiences.

Our Story

In 2010, Mitch and Diana Nugent founded Prima to invigorate lives through fresh theatrical experiences.

Prima is located at 941 Wheatland Avenue, Lancaster, PA, 17603.

At its start, Prima produced cabarets held at Prince Street Cafe in Lancaster City, where the finest local talent collaborated. Over time, Prima expanded to include performances at 15 other venues before securing a home theater in 2018.

Prima's experiential concerts and boutique musicals provide audiences with an engaging and dynamic cultural outlet. Appealing to both performing arts enthusiasts and those less familiar with live theatre, Prima’s loyal patron base is decades younger than the national average for theatre-goers, indicative of the organization's ability to attract a diverse audience. Moreover, Prima's NextGen Initiative offers subsidized tickets to local youth and their families and internships that foster the next generation of culturally engaged citizens.

Prima guest artists have included Tony and Grammy winners, including Stephen Schwartz, Billy Porter, Alice Ripley, Jason Robert Brown, Josefina Scaglione, Shoshana Bean, and Adam Pascal. Lancaster's vibrancy is thriving due to the efforts of numerous companies, organizations, and individuals who are investing in the community. Prima is proud to participate actively in Lancaster's flourishing cultural vitality.

Production History

  • 2010

    Tim Rice Cabaret | Jason Robert Brown Cabaret | Billy Joel Cabaret | Glee Cabaret | Songs of Hope Cabaret | Carrying Christmas

  • 2011

    Songs For A New World | Michelle Rajotte Cabaret | Jaclyn Susa Cabaret | Glee Live | Leading Ladies Cabaret | Chess | Carrying Christmas

  • 2012

    Motown Cabaret | Cabaret of Comedy | Music of Elton John | A-Ha Conference performance | Glee Live | Murray Securus performance| Music of West Side Story | Monster Music

  • 2013

    The Last Five Years | 80s Re-Lived! | 80’s Rolling Rock Band | Showstoppers | LGH Denim To Diamonds Event | Lapp Electric Slide | Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA | A PRiMA Christmas

  • 2014

    Retro Sounds | 80's Re-Lived! | 80’s Rolling Rock Band | Jason Robert Brown: Master Class & Concert | Summer Soirée | Guilty Pleasures Cabaret | Rockin' Rodgers & Hammerstein | Oz in Concert | Lancaster City Tree Lighting

  • 2015

    FIVE: Anniversary Cabaret | Shoshana Bean: Master Class & Concert | Chess in Concert | Summer Soirée | Children of Eden | Broadway Villains Cabaret | Snow Queen's Party | Lancaster City Tree Lighting

  • 2016

    Uncharted: Acoustic Covers Cabaret | Defying Gravity with Stephen Schwartz | Summer Soirée | Big Fish | Presidential Playlist | Adam Pascal in Concert | Lancaster City Tree Lighting

  • 2017

    Tick Tick Boom | Retro Remix | Billy Porter in Concert | Evita | Sinatra Holiday Speakeasy

  • 2018

    First Date | Drift | Songs For A New World | Minor Keys | Piano Men

  • 2019

    Hamiltunes | Disenchanted | Godspell - 2012 Revival Version | 70s Smash Hits | Benefit Concert with Alice Ripley | Jekyll & Hyde | Acoustic Sounds of Sondheim | Motown Legends

  • 2020

    Beach Party Blast | Calling All Kates | PrimaNOW | Brave & Beautiful | LanCarolers

  • 2021

    Sammy & Sinatra | Stage Brawl | Music of Queen+Journey | Soon | On The Naughty List

  • 2022

    Murder Ballad | The Music of Queen+Journey | Here Comes The Sun | Illumination

  • 2023

    Stage Brawl | Into The Woods | The Mom Show | Girl Group Greats | Illumination

  • 2024

    Off the Yellow Brick Road | Stage Brawl | Rated P For Parenthood | Golden Era | Illumination

The Team

The people of Prima.

The Team

The people of Prima.

Administrative & Artistic Leadership

  • Mitch Nugent

    Founding Executive Producer

  • Sara Dodson

    Chief Operating Officer

  • Tessa Balencic

    Impact Advancement Director

  • Megan Witkovsky

    Patron Engagement Director

  • Joshua William Green

    Artistic Associate

  • Ali Murphy

    Music Director

  • Makenzie Mettler

    Production Manager

  • Jeremy Schmidt

    Admin + VIP Coordinator

  • Tim Moser

    Resident Lighting Designer

  • Diana Nugent

    Costumes Designer

  • Kristin Dorman

    House and Technical Manager

  • Ariella Hoover

    Associate House Manager

  • CORI JACKSON

    GRANTS ASSOCIATE

Founding Voting Members

  • Hunter Johnson

  • Diana Nugent

  • Mitch Nugent

Board of Directors

  • Gretchen Lusby

    President

  • Josh Nowak

    Vice President

  • Keli Gentzler Nasir

    Treasurer

  • JASMINE KRAYBILL

    Board Secretary (Interim)

  • Todd Bartos

  • Dr. Michael Manolas

  • CHRIS DREW

  • JUSTIN W. JOHNSON

  • Heather Valudes

  • Mitch Nugent

Additional Information

Behind the curtain

  • Great event planners know what they need, but finding the right venue can be tough.

    Prima Theatres offers an environment where exceptional events come to life. From business presentations to personal gatherings, Prima has the intimacy for a comfortable event of 30 people and the comfortable seating for nearly 200. The venue features free parking, an in-theatre bar, and is close to top hotels. With state-of-the-art technology—including advanced lighting, audio, video, a large screen, and free WiFi—Prima is equipped to handle all your tech needs.

    This versatile blackbox theater serves as a perfect canvas for any top class event, with a catering kitchen, stage, and dressing rooms with private bathrooms. 

    Choose Prima Theatre for an unforgettable event experience in an intimate and well-equipped setting.