Founded in 1977, and organized as a not-for-profit corporation in 1978, the Lawrence Community Theatre provides a variety of quality theatrical activities which are interesting and accessible to diverse populations within the community.
The Theatre began performances in the mid 1970's at the Lawrence Arts Center when that facility was undergoing conversion from a library. LCT was organized in 1977 and incorporated as a not for profit in 1978 by a handful of individuals with a "kitty" of $500. Scheduling at the Arts Center led to a gypsy-like existence for LCT with rehearsals scattered around the city, storage in basements, garages and barns and set construction outdoors (subject to birds) or indoors (sometimes subject to leaky roofs and flooding). At the Arts Center audience seating platforms and chairs had to be erected just prior to each production. Sometimes it had to be moved and re-erected during the run of a show because of other classes scheduled in the Center. In its search for additional performance space LCT did shows in South Park, Trinity Episcopal Church and at Teepee Junction.
It became increasingly obvious that the expanding Theatre program and the expanding Arts Center could not remain in a single building. In 1984 LCT moved to a former church at 1501 New Hampshire. This facility was purchased and renovated with the help of many community volunteers. In addition to doing major fund raising for professional renovation work, LCT received large amounts of donated services and volunteer labor. Architect, Larry Good and retired KU Technical Director and Lighting Designer Charles Lown collaborated on the planning and oversight of the project. The Theatre opened in January of 1985 with production of an original script by local playwright John Clifford, entitled I Was Right Here a Moment Ago.
Many capital improvements have been made to the facility in the intervening years. A new roof, new front steps, a ramp and handicapped accessible restroom, new ventilation and cooling systems, major plumbing repairs, new computers and additional lighting equipment have been added. In the summer of 1992 when the Granada movie theatre in Lawrence was remodeled its seats were offered for sale at a very reasonable price. The seats were in disrepair, but thousands of hours of volunteer labor, scraping, scrubbing, painting and upholstering, restored them to their former plush art deco glory. Since Theatre seating formerly consisted of church pews, the new seats provided not only more comfort, but also finally allowed the theatre to offer patrons reserved seating. That same summer LCT acquired a stage curtain in very good condition from a demolition project in Vinland.
Additional changes have included a new furnace, foundation repair and a sump pump, a new digital piano, a new air conditioner for the third floor, new wiring and lighting for the downstairs, and a new refrigerator and stove in the kitchen. In the spring of 1995 new carpet was laid in the Gladys Six Green Room. Kansas Arts Commission funding has provided needed impetus for several capital aid projects, as well as helping with ongoing program support.
Our most recent projects have included a more visible outdoor sign for the building and increased lighting for the exterior of the Theatre.
The Theatre produces six to eight major shows each year, a Plays in Progress series featuring works by developing area playwrights, theatre workshops and classes, speakers and a script library. A troup of entertainers is also available for special performances at meetings and conventions.
A program for children in grades one through six, "School's Out—Theatre's In" takes place on school holidays and in the summer. This is a special series of intensive drama workshops targeted to take place when children are out of school, but many parents work. The workshops typically combine storytelling, mime, acting games, music, and arts and crafts all focused around a central theme. The program has been used as a model for other similar programs in the midwest. Recently we have begun some collaborative programs with the Lawrence Arts Center.
The 1997-98 season included a diverse group of shows. It opened with Our Town, Thornton Wilder's recreation of turn of the century small town life. The popular musical hit, Guys and Dolls, followed. In January, Flyin' West, a saga of black women settling Nicodemus, Kansas was produced in collaboration with the Office of Minority Affairs at KU. Additional programming was done in cooperation with KU and with the Lawrence Public Library.
In the spring of 1998 we did the world premiere of a new play, Desert Holiday, by Kansas Citian, Ron Simonian. In April 1998 LCT joined forces with English Alternative Theatre to produce the American classic by Edward Albee, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Over 700 KU students viewed and studied this production.
In May 1998 we hosted "Late Night with Lawrence Playwrights." Eight local playwrights had an opportunity to showcase their work. On Mother's Day we presented a one-woman show entitled Letters from Grandma. The show was followed by a catered tea. The season ended in June 1998 with Squabbles, an intergenerational comedy.
Efforts are constantly underway to make the Theatre experience a more enjoyable one for patrons. At intermission coffee and homemade desserts are offered in the Gladys Six Green Room. In the fall of 1997 we received our liquor license and we now serve wine, beer and a selection of other beverages. A partnership was also established with the Lawrence Art Guild whereby different members of that organization exhibit their work during productions. Some dinner theatre events have also been scheduled with dinner at a local restaurant and transportation to dinner and the Theatre provided by the Briti-bus.
Cooperative projects and involvement with other community organizations are often sought. The Theatre worked with the Watkins Community Museum, the Spencer Archives and the Convention and Tourism Bureau, to offer activities relating to the Oregon Trail Sesquicentennial during the production of Going to See the Elephant. Other productions draw classes and groups who discuss the philosophy and issues raised in plays. For example, a production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons attracted high school and university classes, and the Theatre offered some special discussions with World War II veterans following the show.
Past seasons have involved cooperative projects with Brandon Woods Retirement Community, Douglas County Mental Health Department, Central Junior High School, the Jewish Community Center, Kaw Valley Quilters, the KU Business School, the Museum of Anthropology, Bert Nash Mental Health Center and the KU Gerontology Center. Discussion opportunities following performances are often lively and well attended.
LCT received one of the first Community Access Awards presented by Independence, Inc. for work with special populations. As an ongoing part of this outreach program individuals associated with Cottonwood are often theatre guests at dress rehearsals.
LCT currently works with Audio-Reader to offer audio description of performances to the visually impaired.
LCT is a recognized leader in the presentation of original scripts by community theatres. In 1991 LCT hosted the opening of Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl , a musical written by two New York playwrights who visited Lawrence to work with our director, Dr. Lewin Goff. Based on videos and recordings of the LCT production, the musical is now being considered for professional representation. In 1981, one of Paul Stephen Lim's scripts, Flesh, Flash and Frank Harris, premiered at LCT and went on to Off-Broadway production in New York. National attention was also drawn to LCT's presentation of Lee and the Boys in the Backroom, a work by Mr. Lim, based on a novel and the unpublished correspondence of William Burroughs.
The Theatre also garnered state awards in 1987 for its presentation of an original script by John Clifford. A new play by John Clifford which garnered the 1994 Kansas Arts Commission's Playwriting Fellowship, premiered at the Theatre in January 1995 to mark LCT's tenth anniversary in this facility. Since the building opened with one of John's plays, it was especially appropriate to celebrate with another one. This was also the 100th production for the Theatre! This partnership was recognized with a special achievement award from the Association of Kansas Theatre.
LCT is primarily a volunteer organization with a small staff.
During the past season over 600 separate individuals contributed some
25,000 hours of service onstage, backstage, and in committee work. This is
a staggering commitment, since volunteer work is often the donation of
services at which the individual is not only skilled, but professionally
trained. For more information about volunteer opportunities please click here.
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