Theatre 605, formerly the Black Hills Playhouse, held a ribbon cutting at 512 Main Street to mark its new downtown location and a meaningful new chapter for one of South Dakota’s most enduring performing arts institutions.

A Legacy Eight Decades in the Making

For 80 years, the Black Hills Playhouse served as a cornerstone of South Dakota’s arts and culture. Its historic summer stock theatre in Custer State Park trained thousands of performers, welcomed generations of theatre-going families, and helped shape the region’s creative identity. In 2025 alone, the Playhouse drew more than 14,700 attendees.

That legacy continued—only now with a wider reach. The organization’s new name, Theatre 605, reflected its expanded statewide programming, strengthened community partnerships, and commitment to creating artistic opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

A New Home With Room to Grow

The move to 512 Main Street placed Theatre 605 in the center of downtown Rapid City, giving the organization a highly visible hub for its growing year-round work. The space supported youth programming, disability-inclusive initiatives, and increased access to theatre education across the region.

“We are now in the heart of a wonderful downtown Rapid City with a real sense of community and fellowship,” the organization shared. “This location helps us engage even more people while honoring the legacy that built us.”

Programs That Reach Across South Dakota

Theatre 605’s impact extended far beyond the stage:

• Theatre 605 Jr. Camps, launched in 2016, provided 5th–12th graders with opportunities to learn, grow, and perform. Beginning in 2026, the camps moved to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

• Theatre 605 Expanding Stage partnered with DakotAbilities and LifeScape in Sioux Falls, helping people with disabilities build communication skills, independence, and confidence through the performing arts.

• Theatre 605 Tours, formerly the Children’s Theater Company of South Dakota and Dakota Players, traveled statewide with sets, costumes, lights, and professional actor-educators. Since 1999, more than 37,000 kids participated, performing for audiences totaling more than 148,000 people.

Celebrating a Meaningful Rebrand

The ribbon cutting marked the official transition from Black Hills Playhouse to Theatre 605, a rebrand that honored the organization’s history while positioning it for continued growth. The new name reflected its statewide impact, diverse programming, and commitment to bringing theatre to communities large and small.

A Community Rooted in the Arts

Theatre 605’s presence downtown strengthened Rapid City’s creative landscape and contributed to a thriving regional arts ecosystem. Their work nurtured young talent, expanded accessibility, and built community through shared experiences benefits that extended far beyond the stage.

As Theatre 605 began this new chapter, the organization remained grounded in the mission that carried it for nearly a century: creating spaces where people of all ages could discover their voices, share their stories, and find a sense of belonging.