Our Mission

Junior Theatre, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich the lives of Quad Cities youth through education in the performing arts. One of America's oldest children's theatres, we serve underserved populations by removing financial, social, and accessibility barriers to the arts. We help foster positive character traits through low-cost educational theatre programming and create a safe space where all are welcome and every child who wants to experience the transformative power of theatre can do so. We help youth develop 21st century skills, grow self-confidence, and teach life skills while producing theatre for kids, by kids. It takes a village to build tomorrow. We invite you to join us today! All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Mary Nighswander was our founder. Her steadfast belief that every child should find their voice and speak well is why we exist and have impacted thousands of children over the years. That energy and mission remains pure. Junior Theatre gives youth the tools to speak clearly and confidently, no matter where life leads them.

Thank You Junior Theatre Supporters

Thank you to our supporters for helping us serve our young people each day. We are so grateful for your support! All of us at Junior Theatre and on the Board recognize we couldn’t do what we do without the support of many. Whatever your giving level is, become a part of our rich history today. Thank you to all our supporters!

Donations below reflect July 2025 - September 2026

NIGHSWANDER VISIONARY CIRCLE : $2,500 and Above

Anonymous

Bechtel Trust

HAVlife Foundation

Hubbell-Waterman Foundation

Iowa Arts Council

Iowa Economic Development Association

Isabel Bloom Art Education Endowment

National Endowment for the Arts

Quad City Arts

Quad City Community Foundation

Regional Development Authority

Scott County Regional Authority

Charles & Nancy Von Maur

LEONE BREDBECK PATRONS : $1000 - $2499 

Chad & Elissa Douglas

Gleason Family

Victoria Graves

Kristin Smith Meyer

Mission Systems Davenport

Gail J. Richard

Neil and Katie Young

BONNIE GUENTHER BENEFACTORS : $500 - $999

Arnel/Liu Family

Vaughn & Wendy Batdorf

Brett & Veronica Batterson

Russell Carlson

Culver’s

Davenport Noon Optimist Club

Stacy & Tim Dougherty

Rhonda Golden

Dennis Hitchcock

Sarah Moore

Annette and Rick Ripperger

Bev, Kris, & Adam Rosenbohm

Steve Sissel

Sasha (Mark) Vodnik

Zude Family

BRAVE, BOLD BELIEVERS : $250 - $499

Blue Bench Workshop

Amelia Buzzell

ComedySportz

Davenport Printing Company

Jason and Emily Gordon

Hawkeye Group

Michael & Hedy Hustedde

Iowa Pediatric Dental Center

Jake and Leslie Klipsch

Alexander McCarthy and Margaret Laupp

One Step Print Solutions

Quad City Music Guild

Rivermont Collegiate

Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors

Nicole and David Savatski

Daniel and Jessica Sheridan

Gary and Bonnie Sloat

VanDerGinst Law

SHOW WAGON ADVOCATES : $100 - $249

Grant and Lynne Allison

Anonymous

Armored Gardens

Richard Arnell, MD

Caroline Batterson

Michael Beaderstadt

Scott and Amy Beatty

Debbie Danay Blake

Dave Brummitt

Donald and Suzanne Burrough

Cafe Express Deli

Chirag Chauhan

Karyn Cuppernoll

Erin and Henry Emerle

German American Heritage Center

John and Julie Gill

Pablo Haake

Gerald & Linda Hardin

Julie & Jeff Hogenson

Jill Kenyon

Alexander Leites

Paulette Luker

Jennifer McGrath

Moffit Wiegand Family

Moline Regional Community Foundation

Jane Ostergaard

Pepsi-Cola

Peter Peterson

Owen and Margaret Rogal

Rudy’s Tacos

Jillann & Drew Smith

The Styrt Family

Mary Swander

Sarah Thole (McCraw)

Erin & Holly Trout

Lura Turner

Darin Wilson

Mary Winter

MAINSTAGE SUPPORTERS : $50-$99

Anonymous

Norm & Linda Bower

Marlo Buzzell

Leslie Day

Alyssa Deloach

Nancy Eickhoff

Julie Frantz

Donald Freking

Laurie Gaerthier-Conard

Kelly Goble

Michael & Kim Goodwin

Chad Guge

Lydia R. Hains

Frank Hummer

Alexandra Olsen & Cody Johnson

Audrey and Joe Keeney

Kathy & John Kuhl

Willian Lee

The Ian Markham Family

Margie Mintz

Amanda Pietsch

Scott, Traci, & Dax Raper

Sue and Rick Rector

Deborah Rogal

Kristina Rosenbohm

Susan Smith

June Stecklein

Susan Sunleaf

Scott & Melita Tunnicliff

SHOWTIME PALS : $49 & under

Peter Barboutis

Maria Beard

Amber Bordolo

Denise & Bob Bubbers

Karla Buckrop

Dave and Tami Byram Mahl, Jennie and Kate

Laura Carter

Lisa Cleve

Jacqueline Cohoon

Jason Crabb

Nona Diericx

Alyssa Foltz

Patricia Gillette

Roger Hains

Jonathan Haller

Megan Hankner

Bethann Heidgerken

Paulla Houston

Steve Kautz

Brock Kroeger

Dawn Lang

Nicole Mann

Jim McDoniel

Minkalis Family

Kathleen North

Tom Pettis

Wanda Ray

Dionna Reed

Sandra Schmidt

Alan Smith

Judy Soenksen

The Stanbro Family

Suddarth Family

Tammy Torsch

Lissy Woobz

Jerry & Marty Yeast