"...the seasonal act to beat." Pioneer Press

The Schaumburg Summer Theatre, sponsored by the Village of Schaumburg, presents full-scale musicals featuring the talents of high school and college students from the northwest suburbs.

The Summer Theatre's first production of Bye Bye Birdie in 1989 featured 35 actors, singers, and dancers, and played for three performances over one weekend. Since then, the number of performances has increased to four over two weekends, with casts that have boasted as many as 70 students. Notable productions have included the non-Broadway debut of the Marx Brothers' The Cocoanuts, Can Can, On the Town, The Pirates of Penzance, Ragtime, and The SpongeBob Musical.

The program has garnered tremendous box office success, often playing to sold out houses. The shows have also become critical hits, earning several Pioneer Press Boonie Awards in recognition for outstanding community theatre in the northwest suburbs. Many Summer Theatre alumni have gone on to professional careers, including Broadway, network television, film, opera and dance. The program can also boast one Tony Award winner among its alumni.

Actors, singers, and dancers are cast by audition, held around Memorial Day weekend.

Rehearsals and performances are held at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts.