Raleigh Little Theatre

Raleigh Little Theatre

Raleigh Little Theatre (RLT) is a special place for performing arts in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is a community theatre where people of all ages come together to put on shows.

Every year, RLT puts on about ten to eleven full productions. This gives everyone a chance to watch exciting plays and performances.

RLT also offers classes and programs for both kids and adults. These programs help people learn new skills, such as acting. They also give people the chance to be part of a theatre production. It is a wonderful way for the community to share their love for theatre and work together to create something fun and inspiring.

About

Raleigh Little Theatre started in 1936 to give people a place to watch and enjoy community theatre. Each season, they put on 11 shows. These shows are helped by special costume and scene teams. They have a staff of 16 people who work full or part-time, plus over 600 volunteers. Many people love to watch these shows—more than 3,000 people buy tickets each season, and over 40,000 people see the performances.

History

Raleigh Little Theatre started in 1935-36 when local performers worked with people from the Federal Theatre Project to create a place for community theatre in Raleigh. In 2010–2011, the theatre celebrated its 75th anniversary, and in October 2010, they performed their 600th show, The Piano Lesson.

A civic leader named Cantey Venable Sutton helped build the main theatre, an outdoor stage, and a beautiful garden. In 2000, the main theatre was named after her. Each year in June, they give out awards called "Canteys" in her honor. Raleigh Little Theatre was also the first in the South to let actors of all backgrounds perform together.

Venues

The Raleigh Little Theatre has three spaces for shows. The Cantey V. Sutton Theatre holds 298 people and was built in 1939. There is also an outdoor area called the Louise "Scottie" Stephenson Amphitheatre, which can hold 2,000 people and was also built in 1939. The smallest space is the Gaddy-Goodwin Teaching Theatre, built in 1990, and it holds 150 people.

Special events

Raleigh Little Theatre has special events each year. These events help raise money for the theatre and thank the volunteers.

Youth education programs

Each year, Raleigh Little Theatre helps children and adults learn about theatre through classes and activities. They also visit schools and youth groups in Wake County with special programs.

In 2003, they began a program to bring theatre activities into classrooms. In the first six months, more than 1,000 students tried theatre through workshops, special classes, or performances at their schools.

Notable performers

Some famous people began their acting at Raleigh Little Theatre. Andy Griffith acted there in the early 1940s. Other well-known performers who have been at RLT include Frankie Muniz, Clay Aiken, Ava Gardner, and Lachlan Watson.