Muskogee Little Theatre originated in 1972 as a nonprofit community theatre. Through the purchase of an unused school building, Sequoyah Elementary, which was being torn down, a group of dedicated individuals prevailed upon the school district to sell them the land and retain the school cafetorium which could be converted into a theatre. The building and land were purchased for $10,000 with a loan secured from Citizens National Bank. When the old Ritz Theatre was being razed to become a parking lot, Ed Edmondson, Harold Carter, and several others obtained from Bob Locke, etc. the donation of gold curtains from the Ritz and one Sunday morning using two pickup trucks and long ladders, the curtains were removed from the Ritz to our building in tandem along the streets.
Through the years, improvements were made to the theatre with plays presented randomly. Hard times followed by indebtedness. The theatre at one time had to borrow money from long-time theatre supporters, Drew Edmondson (now State Attorney General) and Dr. Tom Kennedy, D.D.S., in order to pay utilities.
Around 1980, Muskogee Little Theatre began scheduling a full season of plays with accompanying season ticket sales. The season begins in July each year. Thus began the time when the theatre began to prosper.
Improvements happened over the years as could be afforded such as recovering theatre seats, painting a mural on the west wall, replacing the lighting power rack, creating basement dressing areas by digging out four feet of dirt underneath the stage, increasing the wardrobe area, adding insulation in the ceiling, plumbing for hot water tank, relocating the box office, and installing a security system.
Through the help and kindness of our long-time season supporters, John and Glenda Broome, we were able to add central heating and air conditioning to the delight of the cast, crew, and audiences.
In 1992, the theatre borrowed $13,500 once again from Citizens National Bank to build additional restrooms (wheelchair accessible), new roof, new carpeting for the lobby and auditorium, insulated aluminum siding for the west wall, plus a ramp for the handicapped.
Muskogee Little Theatre is a 501(C)3 nonprofit, all-volunteer community theatre. It is governed by a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and nine directors. The directors serve three-year terms with three new directors being selected each year. In 2002, we hired an executive director to handle day-to-day operations. The annual meeting is held on the last Tuesday of June. The Muskogee Little Theatre owns its building, parking lot, and full city block debt free.
The Muskogee Little Theatre calendar runs from July to June. Each year it produces 3 to 7 plays. In June, we hold a "MILTIES" Award Night Banquet to honor best director, actor, actress, character role, production, and various other awards such as Newcomer of the Year, Kerslake Business Award, President's Award, Escoe LaRue Award, Berneice Sikes Award, Alice Gregory Award for Youth, and Jack Gregory Award.
Muskogee Little Theatre has won numerous awards over the years. The most notable include:
1994 Oklahoma Theatre of the Year
1995 Oklahoma Best Play of the Year - Strange Snow
1995 Oklahoma Best Actors of the Year - Lisa Wilson, Jim Cole, and Cary Pruitt
1995 Oklahoma Best Director of the Year - Richard Matthews
1995 Southwest Region VI (five states) Best Play of the Year - Strange Snow
1995 Southwest Region VI Best Actors of the Year - Lisa Wilson and Cary Pruitt
1995 National American Association of Community Theatres (50 states) -
One of Ten Best Plays of the Year - Strange Snow
1995 American Association of Community Theatres (National) -
One of Ten Best Actors of the Year - Cary Pruitt
1995 Invitation to 28th Annual International Drama Festival in Dundalk, Ireland -
Only theatre from North America invited for May 25 - June 2, 1996
1996 28th Annual International Drama Festival -
Best Actress: Lisa Wilson, Best Actor: Cary Pruitt
2006 - OCTAVISION AWARD -Oklahoma Community Theatre with the greatest vision of the future
2007 - MLT's production of "Oklahoma" was named an official "State of Oklahoma Centennial Project"
2008 - OKLAHOMA THEATRE OF THE YEAR
Muskogee Little Theatre is the cornerstone of the downtown Depot District at Columbus and Third Street. The address is 311 South Third Street.
Muskogee Little Theatre - The Best Theatre in Town!