Richard E Wildish Community Theater

In 1946, the Mckenzie Theater was built as a premier movie house in downtown Springfield. Today, the building is the Richard E. Wildish Community Theater, a completely refurbished performing arts showcase.  Wildish Theater was the brainchild of the Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation. With seed money donated by the Wildish family, the group spearheaded a six-year renovation project, which was completed in 2006. Today, the theater is managed by Academy of Arts and Academics under an agreement with the theater’s board of directors. The board has representatives from Springfield Public Schools, Springfield Renaissance Development Corporation, Willamalane and community members. The theater also serves as a classroom for students of Springfield’s Academy of Arts and Academics.  Wildish Community Theater is proud to host two resident companies, Chamber Music Amici and Swing Shift.