About

Fresh theatrical experiences since 2010.

Diverse audience clapping enthusiastically at an event with blue lighting.
Musician playing electric guitar on stage with colorful lights and geometric backdrop.

Live your best life with electrifying performances at Prima.

Dive into unforgettable concerts and contemporary theater, 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 contemporary theater 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

  • Group of people in a music rehearsal setting with instruments and microphone in a cozy room.

    2010

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

  • Two dancers performing a lift on stage with people in the background and a chessboard on a podium.

    2011

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

  • Group of performers singing on stage with microphones, wearing coordinated red and black outfits, in front of a curtain with "prima high school" sign in the background.

    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

  • Group stage performance with lead actor in colorful dress and ensemble in cream costumes.

    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

  • Group of people dancing energetically on stage with colorful lights, wearing plaid shirts and jeans in a lively performance.

    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

  • Stage performance with five people, two playing chess, and others observing.

    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

  • Live band performing on stage with vibrant lighting and audience in foreground

    2016

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

  • Billy Porter singing on stage with a microphone, chandelier in background

    2017

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

  • theater performance with audience, stage, and equipment

    2018

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

  • Group of people in colorful costumes posing energetically

    2019

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

  • Group of people in colorful outfits dancing on stage under bright lights.

    2020

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

  • Three performers wearing glamorous outfits and holding microphones on stage, with one person sitting and the others standing behind, in a lively performance setting for "Queen and Journey".

    2021

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

  • Musicians perform in intimate candlelit concert with audience.

    2022

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

  • Pianist and cellist perform among candles on stage for "Illumination".

    2023

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

  • Theater performance of "Off the Yellow Brick Road" with circular stage, artistic lighting, and seated audience in colorful room.

    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 smiling in a black suit on white background.

    Mitch Nugent

    Founding Executive Producer

  • Sara Dodson, wearing a black blazer, smiling against a white background.

    Sara Dodson

    Chief Operating Officer

  • Tessa Balencic smiling with long brown hair in a navy blue top on a white background.

    Tessa Balencic

    Impact Advancement Director

  • Megan Witkovsky smiling with long brown hair wearing a black top and necklace.

    Megan Witkovsky

    Patron Engagement Director

  • Joshua William Green smiling wearing a green sweater and a chain with a white background.

    Joshua William Green

    Artistic Associate

  • Ali Murphy smiling, wearing a bright pink shirt and statement earrings.

    Ali Murphy

    Music Director

  • Makenzie Mettler smiling with long dark hair and a nose ring on a white background.

    Makenzie Mettler

    Production Manager

  • Jeremy Schmidt with beard and glasses wearing a blue-collared shirt and lanyard

    Jeremy Schmidt

    Admin + VIP Coordinator

  • Tim Moser smiling with beard, wearing a dark shirt, against a white background.

    Tim Moser

    Resident Lighting Designer

  • Diana Nugent in a purple strapless dress with jewelry, smiling.

    Diana Nugent

    Costumes Designer

  • Kristin Dorman with curly hair wearing glasses and a purple sweater, smiling.

    Kristin Dorman

    House and Technical Manager

  • Ariella Hoover smiling with shoulder-length hair wearing a black blazer and necklace.

    Ariella Hoover

    Associate House Manager

Founding Voting Members

  • Hunter Johnson in a gray suit and orange patterned tie on a white background.

    Hunter Johnson

  • Diana Nugent wearing a purple strapless dress, silver earrings, and necklace, with curled hair, smiling.

    Diana Nugent

  • Mitch Nugent with beard smiling, wearing a black suit.

    Mitch Nugent

Board of Directors

  • Gretchen Lusby smiling with long blonde hair, wearing a black jacket and green shirt, arms crossed.

    Gretchen Lusby

    President

  • Josh Nowak in suit and tie smiling

    Josh Nowak

    Vice President

  • Keli Nasir smiling with brown hair wearing a patterned sweater.

    Keli Nasir

    Treasurer

  • Jasmine Kraybill with curly hair wearing a suit and white blouse, smiling.

    JASMINE KRAYBILL

    Board Secretary (Interim)

  • Todd Bartos wearing a suit and glasses

    Todd Bartos

  • Dr. Michael Manolas smiling man wearing a suit and light blue shirt, on a white background.

    Dr. Michael Manolas

  • Chris Drew smiling on a white background.

    CHRIS DREW

  • Justin W. Johnson smiling wearing glasses and a white shirt with small black dots

    JUSTIN W. JOHNSON

  • Heather Valudes smiling with long hair wearing a black top and a gold pendant necklace on a white background.

    Heather Valudes

  • Mitch Nugent smiling in a black suit on a white background.

    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.