[1] The Center plays host to the Bowen Park Theatre and Opera Company (a professional theatre/opera company), the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus (community based performance groups), as well as numerous theatre, dance, and /visual art classes and private music and voice lessons.

The music and fine arts school became part of the Waukegan Park District in 1982 as a division of the recreation department.

Like the Music Center of Lake County, the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra has made itself synonymous with the broad range of culture that is the hallmark of the city.

[citation needed] Through its thirty-five-plus-year history, the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra has engaged its audiences in both traditional and challenging works.

recognized the great benefit of retaining such a cultural asset in the community and the Chorus continued as an independent sister organization to the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra.

The company's objective was to produce mostly classical drama and comedies, avoiding musicals and the repertory of neighboring theatre groups.

Lynn Schornick and Ken Smouse founded Bowen Park Opera Company to perform in Goodfellow Hall.