Chanticleer Community Theater

Chanticleer Community Theater Welcome to CHANTICLEER: Your community theater. We encourage community involvement by hiring only local directors and casting local actors for our productions.

The Mission of CHANTICLEER is to provide an educational, entertaining, cultural, and historic experience for the greater Council Bluffs Community through the performing arts. Since our start in 1952 we have shared our love and passion for music and the arts with the greater Council Bluffs Metro Area. We pride ourselves on our history, having presented all types of shows including the classics, reg

ional premiers, cutting-edge new releases, and family-centered performances. We consider ourselves a valuable asset to cultural development and the local community theaters as a whole.

08/23/2026

Calling all performers! Auditions are coming up for Chanticleer Community Theater’s 2026–2027 theater season. Mark your calendars and join us for these exciting productions:

Amahl and the Night Visitors
Sponsored by Sherry G. Bills-Taylor
Auditions: September 20 & 22, 2026
Performances: December 10–20, 2026

Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery
Auditions: October 4 & 5, 2026
Performances: January 15–24, 2027

Wait Until Dark
Auditions: January 17 & 18, 2027
Performances: March 12–21, 2027

The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Auditions: March 14 & 15, 2027
Performances: May 13–23, 2027

https://loom.ly/hEhgq0M

Last night we had our first rehearsals for Wizard of Oz Jr. this show is going to be magic! Stay tuned for more details!
07/21/2026

Last night we had our first rehearsals for Wizard of Oz Jr. this show is going to be magic! Stay tuned for more details!

07/09/2026

🌈✨ Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Chanticleer Community Theater Children's Wizard of Oz cast announcement!

Congratulations to this incredible group of young performers who will bring this timeless classic to life at the Hoff. We can't wait to begin the journey to Oz with all of you! 💚👠

🎭 Cast

Dorothy — Anna Larsen
Scarecrow / Hunk — Zane Walter
Tinman / Hickory — Delaney Walker
Lion / Zeke — Evelyn Loeffelhotz
Wizard of Oz / Professor Marvel — David Engebretson
Wicked Witch / Miss Gulch — Carrington Newlon
Glinda the Good Witch — Aliya Freeman
Aunt Em — Emmalin Newlon
Uncle Henry / Ozion — Creighton Durfey
Toto — Blaire Wackerhagen
Nikko Monkey — Abram Walters
Crow / Monkey — Addison Mathie
Optimistic Voice / Ozion — Amelia Allen
Apple Tree / Ozion — Anya Hauptman
Optimistic Voice / Ozion — Brinley Powers
Barrister Munchkin / Ozion — Caden Meadows
Guard / Ozion / Winkie — Callie Duffey
Tornado / Jitterbug — Catalina Kelley
Optimistic Voice / Ozion — Chloe Boehm
Ozion Woman / Winkie — Chloe Miller
Apple Tree / Ozion — Daxx Freeman
Mayor Munchkin / Ozion — Easton Elliott
Tornado / Jitterbug / Tot Munchkin — Eleanor Bills
Munchkin #1 & #2 / Ozion — Emery White
Crow / Monkey — Gavin Christensen
Optimistic Voice / Ozion — Grace Degner
Tough Kid Munchkin / Ozion — Hazel Kelso
City Father Munchkin / Ozion — Isaac Walters
Tornado / Jitterbug — Isabel Doncaster
Doorman Ozion / Winkie — Jax Robinson
Tot Munchkin / Yellow Brick Woman / Ozion — Julia Parkhill
Crow / Monkey — Kenzie Whittington
Tornado / Jitterbug — Lizzy Noon
Tornado / Jitterbug — Lucy Walters
Winkie Leader — Maizie Nickman
Apple Tree / Ozion — Marley DeMilt
Tough Kid Munchkin / Ozion — Mosley Wackerhagen
Tornado / Jitterbug — Moyer McDermott
Optimistic Voice / Ozion — Raleigh Degner
Tornado / Jitterbug / Tot Munchkin — Savannah Gorman
Optimistic Voice / Ozion — Sophia Gochenour
Tornado / Jitterbug — Tori McGrath
Tornado / Jitterbug — Vivian Rase
Tough Kid Munchkin / Ozion — Vivian Watkins
Coroner / Munchkin / Monkey — Zoe Walter

Join us in congratulating the cast in the comments! 🎭👏

We wrapped up our week-long Children’s Theater Workshop last weekend with a wonderful performance! Denise often shared h...
06/24/2026

We wrapped up our week-long Children’s Theater Workshop last weekend with a wonderful performance! Denise often shared how amazed she was by the way these talented young performers could learn so much in such a short time and bring it all together so beautifully on stage.

Children from across the area spent the week developing their acting, singing, and dancing skills, culminating in a fantastic show at the end of the workshop. A special thank you goes to our creative team—Ann Coombs, Jennifer Orvis, Jason DeLong, and Beth Rutz for their leadership, dedication, and encouragement throughout the week.

While the workshop looked a little different this year, we know Denise would have been incredibly proud of all that was accomplished and of the amazing kids who made it such a wonderful week!

06/16/2026

🎭 Meet the Directors of the 2026–2027 Chanticleer Community Theater Season! 🎭

We’re thrilled to introduce the talented directors who will bring this incredible lineup to life:

🌪️ The Wizard of Oz (youth version) – Tyler Orvis
🎶 Amahl and the Night Visitors – Laureen Pickle
🕵️ Murder Mystery at the Murder Mystery – Steven Knox
🔦 Wait Until Dark – Ann Coombs
⭐ The Unsinkable Molly Brown – Liz Nye

Season Tickets are On Sale Now! https://loom.ly/6tVj3bI

Auditions for The Wizard of Oz Jr. are coming soon, and we can’t help but think of Denise.If Denise were here, she’d pro...
06/09/2026

Auditions for The Wizard of Oz Jr. are coming soon, and we can’t help but think of Denise.

If Denise were here, she’d probably tell us all to stop crying and get on with the show... unless, of course, the crying was actually written into the script!

Make memories, take a chance, and be part of something special. The show must go on and we know Denise will be there in spirit… taking notes and reminding everyone there “are no small parts, every roll is just as important as the lead!”

Saturday June 20th 2pm
Sunday June 21st 2pm
Hoff Theater

The details:

Casting is restricted to youth between the ages of 8 and 18.

Those auditioning will be asked to prepare a musical presentation of 16 measures (an accompanist will be provided), read from the script and wear shoes comfortable for movement. Please bring a calendar and a list of all conflicts.

"Wizard of Oz." opens September 17 and runs through September 27, 2026. Performances are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 for two weekends.

"Wizard of Oz" will be directed by Tyler Orvis with musical direction by Jen Orvis and choreography by Jason DeLong.

06/05/2026

Today, the Chanticleer is going black. Our hearts are broken as we have to announce the passing Denise Putman.

Denise was so much more than a theater president and talented actor. She was the heart and soul of our theater family—a leader, mentor, friend, and source of inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Her passion for the arts was matched only by her kindness, generosity, and unwavering support for others.

Whether she was on stage captivating an audience or behind the scenes encouraging performers and volunteers, Denise had a gift for making people feel valued, welcomed, and loved. She dedicated so much of her life to bringing people together through theater, creating memories and friendships that will last forever.

The stage will never be quite the same without her presence, and our hearts ache with the loss of someone so special. Yet her legacy will continue in every performance, every standing ovation, and every life she touched along the way.

Thank you, Denise, for your friendship, your laughter, your guidance, and the countless ways you made this world brighter. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Rest peacefully. The final curtain may have fallen, but your light will continue to shine in all of us. ❤️🎭

Address

1001 S. 6th Street
Council Bluffs, IA
51501

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 4pm
Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 6pm
Friday 12pm - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+17128905608

Website

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