About

The Stissing Theatre Guild was started in 1989 at Stissing Mountain Junior-Senior High School to foster an appreciation of the art of musical theater and, with the support of the Pine Plains Central School District and the Teachers Union, has produced a show every year since its inception, except for the Covid years. In 2019 the Stissing Theatre Guild expanded to produce plays that have been presented at the Stissing Center. Since the start of production in 1989 all the production costs, except for the Director's stipend and since 2017 the Music Director's stipend, have come from the sale of tickets, program advertising and fundraising. The costs include the royalties, set design and production, lighting design, choreography, costumes, props, and the cost for professional musicians who play alongside students in the live pit band.

The Stissing Theatre Guild has an Advisory Board made up of parents, teachers and community members who volunteer their time and effort to help make each show a success. The board members each head a committee that is involved in some aspect of the behind the scenes show production and in fundraising. Parents and community volunteers help on the committees. Without these efforts the shows and plays would not be possible.

Students in the district have been influenced by their exposure to the theatre both on and off the stage. They learn about the importance of the group effort involved, and some have gone on to pursue careers in acting, set and lighting design, theatre education and production. At graduation ceremonies the Stissing Theatre Guild presents awards to graduating students who have been active in the many aspects of the theatre program during their years in the Pine Plains School District. The awards are paid for through fundraising and donations.