Community Theatre of Little Rock

Community Theatre of Little Rock

Original logo design by Paula Gribble
Name	Community Theatre of Little Rock
Formed	1956
Location(s)	616 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas
Website	www.ctlr-act.org
Genre(s)	Musical theatre Drama theatre Comedy theatre

Community Theatre of Little Rock is a non-profit organization based in Little Rock, Arkansas and founded in 1956. It is a completely volunteer-driven organization.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Striving to Enlighten, Educate and Entertain the community.

History

Founded in 1956, Community Theatre of Little Rock (CTLR) is Central Arkansas' Oldest and finest theater tradition.

Since its inception, CTLR has performed in many venues in Little Rock. In the very early years, The Parish Hall at 9th and Louisiana, Trinity Parish Hall, Robinson (Center) Auditorium, a renovated feedstore at 609 Center Street and The Medical Center Auditorium provided performance stages. In the 1960s and 1970s, National Investors Life Building, the Arkansas Arts Center, Student Union became venues. The 1980s found the troupe performing again in the Arkansas Arts Center, UALR, the UALR, The Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Little Rock Garden Council and Hall High School. Capital Keyboard Theatre became home until the Arkansas School for the Blind offered the use of Woolly Auditorium from 2002 to 2008. In 2008 Community Theatre of Little Rock moved into a new home at the PUBLIC Theatre, located in the heart of Downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.

"We continue to provide our community with live theatrical productions of the highest quality, as well as providing opportunities for talented people of all ages to perform and participate in every phase of producing live theater."

Current Venue

In the Summer of 2008, Community Theatre of Little Rock combined forces with the PUBLIC Theatre and ImprovLittleRock to showcase their talents. The PUBLIC Theatre is a 66-seat performing-arts space focusing on theatre, independent film, and live music.

As its name suggests, The PUBLIC Theatre is a place where creative artists in theatre, film, and music can develop and express their ideas in an open-spirited, collaborative environment, while at the same time producing entertainment that will draw and satisfy as large an audience as possible.

ImprovLittleRock is Little Rock's "first ever" competitive improvisational comedy troupe.

Programs

Community Theatre of Little Rock has presented over 200 mainstage productions since its inception in 1956. Future endeavors include classes in basic acting, dance, singing, set design/construction, and prop manufacturing.

Productions - A Few Examples

1950s

• Biggest Thief in Town
• Wake Up, Darling
• Dracula
• Roomful of Roses

1960s

• Agatha Christie's The Moustrap
• Glass Menagerie
• You Can't Take it With You
• Gypsy

1970s

• If Men Played Cards as Women Do
• The Caine Mutiny Court Martial
• Hello, Dolly!
• The Miracle Worker

1980s

• Annie Get Your Gun
• The Dining Room
• The Curse of An Aching Heart
• Damn Yankees

1990s

• Our Town
• A Murder is Announced
• On Golden Pond
• The Man Who Came To Dinner

2000s

• Cotton Patch Gospel
• Once Upon a Mattress
• Arsenic & Old Lace
• Scrooge: The Musical

2010s

• Five Women Wearing the Same Dress
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
• The Crucible
• A Few Good Men
• Moonlight and Magnolias
• Hairspray

References

• Big Hair, Big Flair The John Hughes-inspired '80s show hits Community Theatre. By Shea Stewart July 14, 2009
• Making the Scene Volunteers set the stage for community theaters from Cabot to Conway. By Spencer Watson May 10, 2011
• The Force Behind the Public Theatre By Ronald Sitton Little Rock Free Press published March 1-31, 2004
• THEATER: The Odd Couple gains a feminine perspective By Jack Hill Arkansas Democrat Gazett published Friday, April 11, 2008.
• "I Cain't Say No" video short Taltopia.com 2003.Friday, October 24, 2008.
• Community Theatre opens Fourth Wall By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Arkansas Democrat Gazett Friday, October 24, 2008.
• THE COMMUNITY THEATRE OF LITTLE ROCK REVISITS CONJUNCTION JUNCTION WITH SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE, TOO! / Little Rock KATV Channel 7 Calendar of Events 7/18 to 7/27/08.
• Not So Sweet "Sweet Charity" by Joy Ritchey Arkansas Times October 22nd, 2006.
• Musical Tells Story of Pioneer Life Through Quilts The Department of Arkansas Heritage January 12, 2004.
• 50 years of Community Theatre by Jessica Sardashti Arkansas Times, March 2006.

External links

• Community Theatre of Little Rock official site
• the PUBLIC Theatre official site
• ImprovLittleRock on MySpace
• Community Theatre of Little Rock on facebook