Sikeston Little Theatre celebrates 50 years

SIKESTON, Mo. -- From a modest start in a living room, the Sikeston Little Theatre has certainly evolved.

The group was founded in Earl Jarvis' living room in 1959, according to Sikeston Little Theatre President Mike Marsh. This year will mark the 50th season for the Sikeston Little Theatre.

Bing Limbaugh, who was a college student in Memphis, Tenn., came home to Sikeston for the summer and got some people together and organized the Sikeston Little Theatre, according to Hope Terrell, one of the founding members of the Theatre. The only surviving founding member, Terrell recalls the first production, "Blythe Spirit," was performed in October 1959.

Since its beginning, the group has performed in different buildings around town, including the old Middle School gymnasium (now the YMCA), the old First Baptist Church, the Malone Theatre, storefronts in Kingsway Plaza Mall, the Armory and the old Ramada Inn.

"We did them wherever we could," said Marsh, who began participating in Little Theatre as a high schooler 36 years ago.

Terrell said they took their productions out of town several times as well, even performing the courtroom drama "Witness for the Prosecution" at the Benton Courthouse.

The Little Theatre has performed in the Albritton-Mayer Cultural Center, its "first real home" as Marsh called it, since 2002. The center is located at 506 S. Kingshighway.

"Now we have a beautiful theater to perform in," Terrell added.

Marsh said before they had their own place to perform, they would do two or three plays a year. Now that they have their own building, they have been able to do more. This year the Little Theatre will have five productions.

The first production of the 2008-2009 season will be "The Mousetrap" in September. Auditions for the production will begin in mid-July.

The group will also produce "The Importance of Being Earnest," a youth performance, in November; "A Christmas Pageant," a children's production, in December; "The Music Man" in February 2009; and "A Salute to Andrew Lloyd Webber" in May 2009.

All work on each play, from the leading actor to the people behind the scenes, is done by volunteers. Marsh noted that because of the volunteer work, especially that of the early members, the Little Theatre is able to continue.

Marsh named Francis Schumacher and Jim Wenneker as two of the key beginning members. "You just can't mention Little Theatre without mentioning them," he said.

Today, the Little Theatre is a medium for many types of artists in the area. Marsh said it's important because of how rare artistic outlets can be.

"It is a great creative outlet for people," he said. "There's really no where else that you could do things like this."

Terrell agreed. She said especially when the Little Theatre began doing children's productions, it was the one of the only ways for young people with talent to express their talent.

Earl Braswell, who has been a member of the Little Theatre since 1965 and has been in 23 performances over the years, explained that being part of the Little Theatre has especially helps young people in whatever they go on to in life, whether it is the arts or even business.

"We've had many young people that have come in that just didn't know about being on stage or in front of people," he said. "It's just been a tremendous boost."

Brian Fisk, a recent graduate of Sikeston High School, began participating in Little Theatre productions in 2002, keeping him busy over the past several years.

"It definitely gave me something to do throughout my high school career," he said. Marsh noted that the group is trying to get youth involved even more. "The only way you can make any organization survive is with youth," he said. "We're looking for the next generation to take over and we're more than happy to hand off this facility to the next generation."

Although the Little Theatre continues to grow, prices to see the shows do not.

"It's the best bargain you could ever have for seeing a show. We've always kept the prices low so people can afford them," Braswell said.

Braswell and Terrell are both confident in the Theatre's future.

"Hopefully we can continue," he said. "All things concerned, I think we will."

"It's made a positive impression on the whole area," Terrell said. "I think it's getting better and better."

The group recently began its membership drive for the upcoming season. Those who are already members should have received a letter in the mail. For more information on becoming a member of the Sikeston Little Theatre, call 573-481-0255 or Mike Marsh at 573-471-7626 to request an application.