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TODAY, dunesARTS PRODUCES:

  • Three professional summer productions

  • Musical theatre and acting classes for students ages 6–18

  • A yearly New Plays Festival spotlighting regional writers

  • An ongoing Writer’s Round Table for play development

  • A Directors Circle supporting local directors and students

  • Special performances and collaborative programs with partners such as the Holdcraft Center, Acorn Theatre and Lubeznik Center for the Arts

Woman passionately reaching for man holding doll on theater stage.
Seven actors perform a play in a wood-paneled drawing-room stage set.

A HOME FOR THEATRE, EDUCATION & COMMUNITY

ABOUT dunesARTS

Founded in 1951, Dunes Arts Foundation has been a cultural cornerstone for Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan for more than seven decades.

As one of the oldest continually-producing theatres in Northwest Indiana, the Summer Theatre campus includes a 200-seat auditorium, an outdoor performance area, a patio with bar service, parking facilities and cabin housing for visiting artists and interns.

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OUR
MISSION

The mission of the Dunes Arts Foundation is to entertain and inspire our community through exceptional performances and programs.

Actors in period costumes performing on stage with a vintage globe.
Young blonde woman singing emotionally on stage with open mouth.
Actress in pink dress gestures excitedly in a doorway, actor watches.
Couple smiling, attentively reading an open book together on a couch.

The Dunes Theatre building was constructed in 1941 with the goal of “bringing a taste of Hollywood to Michigan City.” In its early years, it served as a summer home for faculty from Chicago’s Goodman School of Drama (now The Theatre School at DePaul University).

In 1951, local teacher, playwright, and Goodman-trained artist Nora Tully MacAlvay founded the Dunes Arts Foundation, ushering in a defining new chapter. A pioneer in the children’s theatre movement, MacAlvay paired youth education with a thriving community theatre, introducing generations of local residents to the performing arts.

After more than 30 years as Artistic Director, MacAlvay retired, but her vision continued to shape the organization—laying the foundation for its evolution into a fully professional theatre company in the late 2010s.

75+ YEARS OF THEATRE AT THE DUNES

From a woodland stage to a professional producing theatre, the Dunes Arts Foundation continues a rich tradition of performance and education.

Three actors perform live on stage with a band and ornate set.
Audience applauding in a dimly lit theater filled with red seats.
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MORE THAN A THEATRE

The Dunes Summer Theatre campus includes:
 

  • A 200-seat indoor auditorium

  • An outdoor performance area

  • A patio with bar service

  • On-site parking

  • Cabin housing for visiting artists and interns


This combination allows dunesARTS to function not only as a performance venue, but as a creative home—supporting artists from rehearsal through final curtain call.

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GET INVOLVED

The Dunes Arts Foundation thrives because of the people who believe in it. There are many ways to be part of our story.

ATTEND A PERFORMANCE
Experience professional theatre in an intimate, woodland setting

TAKE THE STAGE
Audition, train, and take the stage through productions and programs

SUPPORT THE ARTS
Learn more about donating or sponsoring programs

VOLUNTEER
Share your time and talents behind the scenes or front of house

YOUTH PROGRAMS
Explore classes, camps, and mentorship opportunities

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • We do not have reserved seats, but if you are coming with a large group
    and you already bought your tickets, you can call or email the box office and leave us a message with your seating preference. We will do our best to rope off seats for you. We also recommend that you come at least 30 minutes before curtain when we open the house, to find your seats.

    ​

    Our auditorium holds over 200 seats.

     

    Late seating may be held until a break in the show so we don’t interrupt the performance.

  • We will consider refunding tickets on a case by case basis. We will allow you to exchange your ticket for another show, if seats are available.

  • You can buy your tickets at the door with cash or credit card although we recommend you buying your tickets ahead of time in case a show becomes sold out.

  • Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before curtain so you have time to park, grab a drink or snack, and get settled.

  • Our Auditorium is indoors and is air conditioned. We have a lobby, restrooms, and a bar that is open to the outside air, so dress to accommodate for the difference between inside and outside air temperature.


    There’s no dress code. Some people come casual, some dress up a bit. Wear what’s comfortable and bring layers.
     
    Free parking is available in the theatre lot, including accessible spaces near the entrance. We also have an “overflow parking” lawn lot immediately south of our parking lot.

  • Please call or email our box office with your accessibility needs. We have a few parking spaces adjacent to our accessibility ramp which leads to a door on the west side of the auditorium. With planning we can have an usher assist you with entering and exiting our theatre.

  • You can place order an from Pepe’s Food Truck, which is located in our theatre parking lot and pick up your food starting one hour before the show. You can eat your food on our outdoor patio or on the food truck’s picnic-style seating. Policies for eating food inside the auditorium can vary by show. You can always take the drink and snack purchased from our bar or concessions stand into the theatre. Ushers or the box office can help with questions when you arrive.


    Other restaurants close by:

  • Hotels near our theatre:

  • Children are permitted at our shows; however, please call or email us for appropriate ages.


    Unfortunately, pets are not allowed into the theatre.

    • Driving from Chicago

      • Take 94 East to US20 (exit 22B) to US12 (Maple Street). Turn left and then another quick right (east) onto Grand Beach Road and continue on Grand Beach Road to Shady Oak Drive. Take a left on Shady Oak Drive. The theatre will be on your left: 288 Shady Oak Drive.

    • South Shore Train from Chicago or South Bend

      • Exit at 11th Street (6.4 miles) Michigan City or Carroll Street/Michigan City (5.3 miles).

    • Taxi services are available: (call in advance)

    • UBER & Lyft

    • AMTRAK

      • ​Take the Amtrak to the New Buffalo, MI stop. (Remember, Dunes Summer Theatre runs on Central/Chicago time)

  • These food and drink options are available on our theatre campus:

    • Pepe’s Food Truck offers tacos, burritos, soups and soft drinks (open one hour before show curtain)

    • The Dunes Theatre Tiki Bar offers specialty wine and beers, open one hour before shows, and during intermission.

    • Dunes Concession Stand: soft drinks, water, cookies, chips and candy, open one hour before show curtain and at intermission.

  • Our seats are wooden and are as old as our theatre (80 years old!). Some patrons like to bring their own cushions but we also have cushions available at our box office.

  • Performances run on Central Time. If you’re coming from Michigan or another Eastern Time area, please plan accordingly.

  • We close our theatre for the winter months, but have events all through the year at various venues nearby. Join our mailing list to keep up to date with our activities.

  • Our Thursday preview nights (the night before opening night) are half price, or you can volunteer to help us build the set or to usher a show. Contact us with your interest by filling out our Contact form.


    Groups of 6+ are eligible for $5 off each ticket price.

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