Raleigh Little Theatre
Encyclopedia
Raleigh Little Theatre is a community theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina
that produces 10 to 11 full productions annually and maintains a comprehensive youth and adult theatre education programs.
performances and opportunities for residents. RLT produces 11 shows each season, professionally supported by complete on-site costume and scene shops, along with a full and part-time professional staff of 16 and more than 600 community volunteers. With the largest subscription base of any community theatre in the area (3,000+), RLT serves more than 40,000 people with shows each season. A total of 10 to 11 shows are produced annually, professionally supported by complete on-site costume and scene shops.
to bring community theatre
to Raleigh. The theatre will celebrate it's 75th Anniversary Season in 2010-2011. The Piano Lesson
, in October 2010, was the theatre's 600th production.
Then, civic leader Cantey Venable Sutton started the Works Progress Administration
construction of the main theatre, amphitheatre and Rose Garden. In 2000, the main theatre was named in honor of Mrs. Sutton. RLT's annual performance awards, given each June, have been called "Canteys" in her honor for a number of decades.
RLT was the first community theatre in the South
to cast actors of color during segregation
.
, also built in 1939; and the 150-seat Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre built in 1990.
Raleigh Little Theatre also produces youth shows. During 2010-2011, these shows are:
Active Arts Outreach Program.
RLT’s Youth Education Program has received national, state and local recognition for excellence, not only are they the talent of tomorrow but also tomorrow’s audiences. RLT’s Education Program has included the active participation of more than 14,000 young people in the past 15- years that have taken classes at RLT, including being named the “Best Youth Education Program” by the North Carolina Theatre Conference in 2002.
In 2003, RLT launched its RLT/Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Arts Active Outreach Program to bring its award-winning, process-oriented, youth education program directly into the classroom. During the first six months of the program, more than 1,000 students had the opportunity to experience the theatrical arts either through workshops, in-classroom residencies or special performances in schools that otherwise would not have been possible.
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
that produces 10 to 11 full productions annually and maintains a comprehensive youth and adult theatre education programs.
About
Raleigh Little Theatre was established in 1936 to provide community theatreCommunity theatre
Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
performances and opportunities for residents. RLT produces 11 shows each season, professionally supported by complete on-site costume and scene shops, along with a full and part-time professional staff of 16 and more than 600 community volunteers. With the largest subscription base of any community theatre in the area (3,000+), RLT serves more than 40,000 people with shows each season. A total of 10 to 11 shows are produced annually, professionally supported by complete on-site costume and scene shops.
History
Raleigh Little Theatre started in 1935-36 when a group of Raleigh performers joined forces with technical workers from the Federal Theatre ProjectFederal Theatre Project
The Federal Theatre Project was a New Deal project to fund theatre and other live artistic performances in the United States during the Great Depression. It was one of five Federal One projects sponsored by the Works Progress Administration...
to bring community theatre
Community theatre
Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community...
to Raleigh. The theatre will celebrate it's 75th Anniversary Season in 2010-2011. The Piano Lesson
The Piano Lesson
The Piano Lesson is a 1990 play by American playwright August Wilson. The Piano Lesson is the fifth play in Wilson's The Pittsburgh Cycle. Wilson began writing this play by playing with the various answers regarding the possibility of "acquir[ing] a sense of self-worth by denying ones past"...
, in October 2010, was the theatre's 600th production.
Then, civic leader Cantey Venable Sutton started the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
construction of the main theatre, amphitheatre and Rose Garden. In 2000, the main theatre was named in honor of Mrs. Sutton. RLT's annual performance awards, given each June, have been called "Canteys" in her honor for a number of decades.
RLT was the first community theatre in the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
to cast actors of color during segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
.
Venues
The historic Raleigh Little Theatre facility includes three on-site venues: the 298-seat Cantey V. Sutton Theatre built in 1939; the outdoor 1700-seat RLT’s Louise “Scottie” Stephenson AmphitheatreAmphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
, also built in 1939; and the 150-seat Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre built in 1990.
Current Season
In the 2010-2011 season, Raleigh Little Theatre will produce/has produced the following shows:- 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (musical)
- The Piano Lesson
- The Man Who Came To Dinner
- The Last Night of Ballyhoo
- The Threepenny Opera (musical)
- Cinderella (holiday musical)
Raleigh Little Theatre also produces youth shows. During 2010-2011, these shows are:
Special Events
Raleigh Little Theatre also stages several special events throughout the year. Some of these are fundraisers for the theatre, others for social gatherings to recognize volunteers. Among these are:- Divas!
- The Winter Gala
- The Ice Cream Social
- The Canteys
- Costume Sale
Youth Education Programs
Each year, RLT serves more than 900 children and adults in its year-round on-site and satellite education programs through the Dianne Davidian Education Program. In addition, more than 1,000 Wake County students are served in the classroom, at youth organizations and on-site are reached through its RLT Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North CarolinaBlue Cross and Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of...
Active Arts Outreach Program.
RLT’s Youth Education Program has received national, state and local recognition for excellence, not only are they the talent of tomorrow but also tomorrow’s audiences. RLT’s Education Program has included the active participation of more than 14,000 young people in the past 15- years that have taken classes at RLT, including being named the “Best Youth Education Program” by the North Carolina Theatre Conference in 2002.
In 2003, RLT launched its RLT/Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a federation of 39 separate health insurance organizations and companies in the United States. Combined, they directly or indirectly provide health insurance to over 100 million Americans. The history of Blue Cross dates back to 1929, while the history of...
Arts Active Outreach Program to bring its award-winning, process-oriented, youth education program directly into the classroom. During the first six months of the program, more than 1,000 students had the opportunity to experience the theatrical arts either through workshops, in-classroom residencies or special performances in schools that otherwise would not have been possible.
Notable Performers
- Andy GriffithAndy GriffithAndy Samuel Griffith is an American actor, director, producer, Grammy Award-winning Southern-gospel singer, and writer. He gained prominence in the starring role in director Elia Kazan's epic film A Face in the Crowd before he became better known for his television roles, playing the lead...
performed at RLT in the early 1940s. - Frankie MunizFrankie MunizFrancisco "Frankie" Muniz IV is an American actor, musician, writer, producer, and racecar driver. He is known primarily as the star of the FOX television family sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. In 2003, he was considered "one of Hollywood's most bankable teens". In 2008, he put his acting career...
- Clay AikenClay AikenClayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...
- Ava GardnerAva GardnerAva Lavinia Gardner was an American actress.She was signed to a contract by MGM Studios in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew attention with her performance in The Killers . She became one of Hollywood's leading actresses, considered one of the most beautiful women of her day...