The Arts in Prattville, AL: Easily Accessible for All

City of Prattville

Prattville, AL, has built a strong foundation for arts and culture through steady growth and community engagement. At the center of it is the Cultural Arts & Special Events Department, a division of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department that supports local talent and makes the arts accessible to all.

Arts in Prattville: For the People

“In Prattville, you don’t have to seek out the arts; it finds you,” says Mynecia Steele, cultural arts and special events manager for the City of Prattville. “There are various events throughout the year that support artists and provide arts exposure for the community.”

Steele emphasizes that the city’s approach is all about participation.

“Prattville is a place where professional artists, hobbyists, crafters and traditional artisans coexist,” she says. “Our community has evolved in such a way that the arts are easily accessible.”

The Cultural Arts & Special Events Department manages several city-funded arts organizations, including the Prattville Community Chorus, Prattville Pops Community Band, Prattauga Art Guild, Way Off Broadway Theatre (WOBT), and Prattville Creative Arts Center and Gallery. Each organization welcomes artists of all skill levels and offers year-round opportunities for learning, performance and connection.

Pair of Leggs Photo and Video

Way Off Broadway

WOBT is one of Prattville’s brightest creative lights. A fully city-funded program, WOBT stages five productions a year and offers numerous classes and workshops for residents of all ages. “It’s a pretty vibrant scene, truly rooted in the community,” says Martha Wilkinson, theatre coordinator for the City of Prattville. “What makes it special is how many people are involved. They’re up on stage at Way Off Broadway Theatre; they’re showing their work at local art shows, singing in the community chorus, playing in the Pops.”

That sense of inclusion is central to WOBT’s success.

“It’s incredibly accessible,” Wilkinson says. “Our ticket prices are reasonable enough for families to come out and support local theater. Additionally, numerous affordable workshops for ages 6 to 18 take place throughout the year.”

WOBT recently wrapped a sold-out run of the musical Annie, featuring eight local youth as the cast’s “orphans.”

WOBT also participates in the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce’s A Main Street Christmas, a collaboration between the chamber and the City of Prattville that features performances, holiday characters and free hot cocoa.

Arts for All Ages

The arts in Prattville extend far beyond the stage. The Prattville Community Chorus and Prattville Pops community band join forces for free Independence Day and Christmas concerts, and the chorus even delivers Valentine’s Day singing telegrams around town.

The Prattauga Art Guild hosts regular exhibitions and classes at the Creative Arts Center and Gallery, open to all artistic levels.

“Residents of all ages have gotten involved through classes, arts organizations, seasonal events and volunteer opportunities,” Steele says.

Opportunities for hands-on involvement are as varied as they are welcoming.

“Whether one attends a workshop or gets involved with a specific show, there’s so much to learn, from designing sets to operating lights, costuming, stage managing, etc.,” Steele says.

Looking to the Future

While continuing to grow their current programs, the Cultural Arts team is focused on offering more classes and seasonal activities. Classes the community can look forward to include watercolor, string art, cookie decorating and seasonal activities, like pumpkin painting and gingerbread house building, Steele says.

“As an artist, I love being a part of a community that invests in not only maintaining its art community, but also growing it,” Steele says.