ABOUT COMMUNITY LITTLE THEATRE

Started in 1940, Community Little Theatre's first performance was to an invited audience. In 1941 its first public performance took place in the same location where Community Little Theatre performs today. Known as the Edward Little High School Auditorium in 1941, its name changed to Central School Auditorium in the early 1960's and some twenty plus years later it became known as the Great Falls School Auditorium. From 1953 to 1978 the Sons of Italy Hall on Sylvan Avenue in Lewiston served as the club house for CLT, but performances still took place at Great Falls School. Sets were assembled, lights were hung, lines rehearsed and a play was presented to a live audience.

 

In 1981, Community Little Theatre entered into an agreement with the Auburn School Department to occupy and renovate the Great Falls School Auditorium on Academy Street in Auburn. This agreement was sough out by the Community Little Theatre because of two issues with which the organization was faced. One issue was the need to dispose of the old club house. The quarters at the club house were cramped and the rising costs of maintenance and fuel were taking a toll on the treasury. The second issue was the need for a more modern theater. CLT productions were becoming more professional and the theater group needed a theater that better reflected its professional objectives. The organization began exploring different sites that could serve as a home for meetings, rehearsals and performances. The theater searched out grange halls, store fronts and Auburn's old fire house. Then the idea of renovating Great Falls Auditorium was explored. It was an empty space used by no one. With some ideas, Community Little Theatre approached the Auburn School Department, worked out an agreement and started fund raising in the fall of 1981. Contributing to the fund raising efforts were the cities of Auburn and Lewiston. They each gave CLT $10,000.
 

In May, after the final performance of the '81-'82 season, the physical work began. When the '82-'83 season opened in October, with the exception of some final painting, the theater was ready. There were upholstered seats, a reconstructed lobby, new interior walls, and enlarged stage and better lighting and sound. Since 1982 the carpet has been replaced, the walls repainted and lighting and sound further improved.

The Theater has contributed much to the local communities. It has provided entertainment, participated in community activities, provided education and been the stepping stone for many young people who have gone on to work in various parts of the entertainment field. Some of these people have worked on Broadway and other professional theaters, television, community theaters and education. Some have worked as performers and others have worked in the technology of theater.
 

In the 1980's, CLT started performing on two successive weekends and in 1994 Community Little Theatre added a Sunday matinee. Also in the late 1980's the Edward Little High School Drama Club began doing its performances at the theater as well. With a CLT technician, the high school drama club has access to professional equipment which it would not have had were it still trying to perform in its high school gym. The relationship for both Community Little Theatre and Edward Little Drama Club, has proven to be a positive one. We have mentored the students, shared a space, borrowed each other's props and costumes and worked together to produce good theater for the community.

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