90 Volunteers Ready Wisconsin Theater for Season Opener

Every spring before Mother's Day, something special happens at Peninsula Players Theatre in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Dozens of neighbors grab brooms, rakes, and dust cloths to prepare the historic venue for another season of live performances.

The Pete Schuster Memorial Broom Squad has made this annual tradition happen for more than three decades. This year on May 9th, around 90 volunteers will show up ready to work, continuing a legacy of community care that keeps the theater thriving.

"We clean out the dorms, housing, sweep out the rooms and get the property ready for our staff and company members," said Peter Brian Kelly, the theater's Marketing Director and Company Manager. The volunteers tackle everything from moving benches and spreading wood chips to clearing branches and preparing dormitories for incoming performers.

The tasks might sound ordinary, but they represent something much bigger. Without these volunteers, the theater would face a massive logistical challenge getting ready for opening night.

The Ripple Effect

This cleanup effort reflects Door County's deeper culture of giving back. When theaters thrive, entire communities benefit through arts education, entertainment, and the economic boost that cultural venues bring to small towns.

The volunteer spirit doesn't go unnoticed by the performers who call Peninsula Players home each season. They arrive to freshly prepared spaces, wood chip paths, and spotless dormitories because neighbors cared enough to show up.

Theater managers make joining easy. Volunteers can register online or by phone, and everyone who participates gets treated to a chili lunch on site as a small thank you for their hard work.

For those looking to connect with their community while supporting local arts, the Annual Spring Clean offers a perfect opportunity. You don't need theater experience or special skills, just a willingness to help and a few hours on a Saturday morning.

The tradition honors Pete Schuster's memory while ensuring that live theater continues to flourish in Door County for generations to come.