The Chestnut Fine Arts Center opened its doors in May, 1998, as a sole proprietorship, and it operated in a small one-room theatre. Throughout the next four years, the Chestnut flourished and in July, 2002, became fully incorporated as a non-profit organization within the state of Kansas and was granted 501(c) (3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.

Located in Olathe, KS, the Chestnut was created to allow individuals to participate in high quality, enriching arts activities, and is committed to furthering the performing arts opportunities for adults and children in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The Chestnut currently hosts a theatrical season of six plays and/or musicals per year, in addition to sponsoring numerous children’s workshops, talent shows, recitals, concerts, performances by the Dickens Carolers and a vocal and piano educational studio.

The Chestnut has had huge growth and now entertains over 12,000 patrons annually. Several renovation projects have been completed on the theatre space, adding more seating capacity, a larger lobby area, dressing room facilities, and a technical booth.

In 1998, productions ran for two weeks. Runs were increased to three weeks during the 2003-04 season, and beginning with the 2006-07 season, production runs again increased to four weeks. Season ticket holder numbers have risen rapidly.

The Chestnut is proud of its top-quality entertainment -- all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend all performances.

Chestnut Board of Directors

Brad Zimmerman, Executive Director
Curt Crespino, President
Carolyn Robinson, Vice-President
Dalene White, Treasurer
Terri Babbitt, Secretary
Perry White, Board Member
Karen Rae Hight, Diversity & Inclusion
Maneesh Jhunjhunwala, Board Member

This program is presented in part by the Kansas Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.