Spotlight on Community: The Heart of Penn Yan Takes the Stage with PYTCo

Stage Lights and Small-Town Magic:

PYTCo Shines in Penn Yan

If you’ve ever wandered down East Elm Street in Penn Yan and spotted the grand, weathered façade of the Sampson Theatre, you’ve glimpsed the beating heart of one of Yates County’s most inspiring stories — the Penn Yan Theatre Company, or as locals know it, PYTCo.

This isn’t just any theatre group. It’s a stage built on heartbeats, laughter, sawdust, and dreams — a place where spotlights shine not on celebrities, but on neighbors, friends, and families who love bringing stories to life.

🌟 A Legacy of Stage Lights and Small-Town Magic

PYTCo began its journey back in 1978, when a group of locals decided that the Finger Lakes deserved more than just beautiful sunsets — it needed theatre. Over the decades, the group has grown into a vibrant creative hub that stages everything from big-ticket musicals and heartfelt dramas to youth productions bursting with imagination and joy.

Each show is a community effort. The sets are built by local carpenters and dreamers. The costumes are stitched with care by volunteers who know that every detail tells a story. The laughter and applause echo far beyond the curtain call — straight into the heart of Penn Yan.

🏛️ The Sampson Theatre: A Star Reawakening

At the heart of PYTCo’s mission is the beloved Sampson Theatre — a 1910 vaudeville treasure that once echoed with the sounds of laughter, applause, and even the clang of boxing gloves. Its poured-concrete design was ahead of its time, and more than a century later, it still stands tall — a testament to resilience, artistry, and community spirit.

When the Trombley family generously gifted the Sampson to PYTCo in 2004, they didn’t just pass along a building — they reignited a dream. Since then, PYTCo has poured heart, skill, and countless hours into bringing this historic landmark back to life, determined to see its stage shine once more with music, storytelling, and joy.

The restoration has been a true labor of love — a commitment of passion, hard work, and millions of dollars. It hasn’t come without its challenges and setbacks, but as PYTCo president Dusty Baker shares, “A new momentum has picked up since acquiring our new architectural firm, Johnson-Schmidt, in late July.”

With the help of grants, funding from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and generous community donations, work continues to restore the theatre to its vibrant brilliance of the past. Every beam restored, every seat repaired, and every light rekindled is more than construction — it’s a promise. A promise to honor Penn Yan’s rich history and to illuminate its creative future.

You can be part of that promise. Join the many generous supporters who are helping turn this dream into reality — and become a Friend of the Sampson today. Donations can be made directly through PYTCo’s website at www.pytco.org/donate

🎶 Theatre for Everyone

What makes PYTCo truly special is how deeply it belongs to everyone — it’s not just a theatre company, it’s a community.

Children take their first steps onto the stage through PYTCo’s youth programs and summer theatre camps, where creativity and confidence bloom side by side. Teens discover the excitement of collaboration — learning lines, painting sets, or running lights and sound. And adults, from first-time performers to lifelong thespians, find joy in exploring new roles and rekindling their artistic spark.

The PYTCo Youth Theatre Summer Program began in the summer of 2004 as the “21st Century Youth Theatre Experience,” made possible in part by a grant from 21st Century Real Estate. That first camp invited Penn Yan youth to learn the fundamentals of theatre and present a small production — a modest beginning with around 25 students. Today, the program has flourished, welcoming nearly 70 campers and 15 counselors each year. In just three weeks, they bring to life a full-scale production complete with choreography, lighting, microphones, sets, and costumes — a testament to teamwork, creativity, and dedication.

PYTCo’s main season takes center stage in the summer with a major production that often unites the Youth Theatre Summer group with performers and crew members of all ages. These shows offer the Penn Yan community a rare opportunity to experience affordable, high-quality live theatre — the kind of performance magic you can’t find anywhere else in the region.

As PYTCo Board President Dusty Baker shares, “This is the best three weeks of the year for me. I’ve been involved with the Summer Theatre for 19 of its 21 years, and it still remains the highlight of my year.” He adds, “We have participants from around the area take part in the PYTCo Youth Theatre Summer Program — including children who spend their summers here but live in different parts of the country.”

From the smallest camper to the most seasoned performer, PYTCo continues to bring generations together through the joy of storytelling, the thrill of the spotlight, and the enduring spirit of community theatre.

💜 A Mission Rooted in Community

PYTCo’s mission says it all — to enhance the quality of life through theatre experiences that inspire participation, appreciation, and a deeper love for the arts. But at its heart, it’s about more than the spotlight. It’s about people — and the power of community.

Every show, every workshop, every curtain call brings neighbors together to laugh, learn, and celebrate the joy of creativity. From scholarships for high school seniors to partnerships with local schools and artists, PYTCo uses theatre as a bridge — connecting generations, nurturing young talent, and keeping the spirit of the arts alive across the Finger Lakes.

Their commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that everyone — no matter their background, identity, or experience — has a place to belong, both on stage and behind the scenes. Because at PYTCo, the theatre isn’t just a building. It’s a gathering place. A place where stories come to life, friendships are formed, and the community’s heart beats just a little louder — together.

🎭 Join the Show — Be Part of the Magic!

 There’s something truly special about live theatre — that moment when the lights dim, the music swells, and stories spring to life right before your eyes. At PYTCo, those moments aren’t just created by actors and directors — they’re built by an entire community coming together to share their time, talent, and heart.

Whether you dream of stepping into the spotlight, love the behind-the-scenes hustle of stagecraft, or simply want to sit back with a bag of popcorn and cheer from the audience, PYTCo welcomes you with open arms. There’s a place for everyone here — from the first-time volunteer painting sets to the seasoned performer who knows every beat of the stage.

And the excitement is building once again — watch for the announcement of PYTCo’s 2026 Summer Show! Each year’s production brings together local talent of all ages, creating unforgettable memories and moments of pure theatre magic right here in Penn Yan.

Want to get involved? Visit pytco.org to explore upcoming productions, learn about the historic Sampson Theatre restoration, or make a donation to help keep the stage lights shining bright.

✨ Whether you’re in the audience, on the stage, or behind the curtain — when you’re part of PYTCo, you’re part of the story.

📍 Penn Yan Theatre Company
P.O. Box 106 • Penn Yan, NY 14527
📞 (315) 992-8509
📧 contact@pytco.org

🌄 Curtain Call

The Penn Yan Theatre Company is more than a troupe — it’s the heartbeat of a community that believes in the power of art, storytelling, and togetherness. From its vaudeville roots to today’s lively musicals, from nurturing young performers to restoring a historic gem, PYTCo stands as a shining example of what happens when passion takes center stage.

Here in Penn Yan, community theatre isn’t “small” — it’s grand in every way that matters. It’s fueled by big hearts, bold dreams, and neighbors who show up, pitch in, and applaud one another’s creativity.

PYTCo is proof that when a community comes together, the lights shine brighter, the music sounds sweeter, and the magic of home takes the stage.

A standing ovation well deserved — and one that’s sure to continue throughout the generations.