It was first called the Mouse River Players Community Arts Center, but renamed after Arlene L. Saugstad (1912-2014) in 2006.

In 2009, the theater installed stadium seating to accommodate two hundred audience members.

Mouse River Players began in 1971 to providing live, quality theatre performances.

The program offers students between the ages of six and fourteen classes taught by local artists.

Students in the program perform in the Mouse River Players annual family production[6]