The Lawrenceburg Community Theatre received its charter as a nonprofit organization 50 years ago in March 1968. The charter board members were Jeanette Held, chairman and co-founder; Dolly B. Leighton, co-founder; Helen Lindsey, business manager; Robert L. Davis, Orra Pitner, and Fred Dalton Thompson, legal advisor. The first play, Familiar Stranger, was performed on September 16th and 23rd, 1967, in the old LCHS cafeteria, co-directed by Dolly Leighton and Skipper Green.
During the next four years, plays that combined the talents of both adults and high school students were performed in the cafeteria and in the basement of the David Crockett State Park restaurant. Michael Jeter acted in three productions during this time period. In 1976 Gentleman from the Cane was performed for the first time on the banks of Shoal Creek. It continued for several years and was the impetus for construction of the state park amphitheater.
Between 1976 and 1986, other musicals were performed outdoors, including Oklahoma!, Paint Your Wagon, Li’l Abner, Fiddler on the Roof, and Annie Get Your Gun. Meanwhile, three dinner theater shows were produced each summer in the basement of the park restaurant, continuing through 2001 with a total of 56 productions. These shows and Gentleman brought thousands of people to Lawrence County.
In the last few years, the community theater has produced multiple performances of Gentleman from the Cane at the historic Crockett Theater as well as other productions such as Bye Bye Birdie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Oklahoma!, A Christmas Carol, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. As a result, the community theatre has made over $33,000 in-kind improvements to the Crockett Theater facilities, available to all users.
Present community theatre board members include Kaye Luffman, chairman; Anne Scott, secretary; Bob Augustin, treasurer; Wanda Maib, Jenifer Cull, Joey Riddle, Cord Perry, Bethany Nelson, Dolly Leighton. Auxiliary board members include Patrick Hughes, Katie Jewell, Carolyn Miller, Jennifer Lindzy, Elizabeth Perry, Kathy Burns, and Dustin Robertson.
For the most up-to-date hours and information, please contact Lawrenceburg Community Theatre directly.
