Polo Area Community Theatre’s mission is to offer live theatre experiences for members of the community of all ages as spectators and participants, to enrich culture and life in the rural community of Polo, Illinois and the surrounding areas.


Polo Area Community Theatre’s mission is to offer live theatre experiences for members of the community of all ages as spectators and participants, to enrich culture and life in the rural community of Polo, Illinois and the surrounding areas.

The summer of 2014 marked the beginning of the Sauk Valley Theatre Alliance. With resources becoming increasingly limited, in order to continue to provide our students and this community with quality theatre experiences, a partnership has been negotiated between Sauk Valley Community College Theatre, Woodlawn Arts Academy and Sterling Public Schools (Centennial Auditorium). These organizations recognize the value and power of the arts as well as the incredible talent in the Sauk Valley area. We believe this alliance will positively impact our programs and the development of theatre in this community.

Providing quality, affordable entertainment for the Sauk Valley for over 25 years. All concerts are in either Dixon or Sterling. A membership gives you tickets to four concerts per year.

Two-year associate of arts program offering productions in the spring and fall, as well as Theatre in the Park in conjunction with Woodlawn Arts Academy in the summer

A non-profit Fine Arts Gallery located in Dixon. Our mission is to educate, foster the arts, and galvanize artists and patrons within the Rock River Valley Area.

Located in Princeton, Festival 56 presents a variety of classic plays and popular musicals, including free Shakespeare in the Park all summer. Festival 56 features a professional nationwide cast of actors and theatre artists.

The performance center for Sterling Schools and the surrounding community


Janel is the owner and chief operating officer of Stahr Media, along with her husband, Nathan. She grew up in Chadwick, and earned her bachelor’s degree in multimedia design and development through DeVry University. She was a writer/reporter, copy editor, page designer and assistant managing editor with Sauk Valley Newspapers and art director with WATT before starting Stahr Media. She also has extensive experience with piano and voice, having taken lessons since she was 4, and taught piano lessons at the Academy for five years. Janel and Nathan have two children, Grace and Quinn, along with their dog, Emmy, and cat, Ozzy. In her free time, Janel enjoys traveling and cooking. To reach Janel regarding web development or print graphic design work; or for wedding, funeral or special event music; text or call (815) 441-3664 or email janel@stahrmedia.com.

Becky grew up in Dixon and currently lives in Sterling with her husband, David, and their three children, Victoria, Delia and Reese. Becky earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Bradley University. Before settling back in the Sauk Valley and starting with Woodlawn in 2011, she taught and directed at preschools as well as ran several dance programs in Illinois and Iowa. Becky enjoys spending time with family, photography and reading.