With 62 years of production, the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (SLOLT) is one of the oldest continuously running community theatres in the nation. And although it may be small in size, the theatre has a giant impact on the community.
Since 1947, more than 400 productions have been staged in more than 20 locations around the county, said president of the SLOLT Board of Directors Marylin Blake.
The theatre began with two to three shows a year, its first at the Fremont Theatre where volunteers were pulling veterans and cowboys off the streets to fill the audience, she added.
“This is fun, we have been here forever because of the fun of it,” said SLOLT development director Mary Meserve. “We have done the grinding work; it’s 400 volunteers, 11 (volunteer) board members, two full-time staff and four part-time staff. It’s the volunteer machine that keeps it going, and that’s the beauty of it.”
The theatre, which was converted from a county library about 15 years ago, runs eight to 10 shows a year – five season shows and three to five special events. The season shows feature an array of comedies and dramas while special FUNdraising events such as the Legends Series include musicals that honor famous musicians, which generate much of the revenue. These shows offer Martini Night, where the audience enjoys dinner and drinks before the event.
Many of the recent plays provide satirical venues to highlight racial issues regarding the election, she said. “Daughters of the Lonestar State,” is an upcoming comedy that portrays a small club of white Texan women that argue the need to let African Americans join the group. Meserve described the play that premiers Nov. 21 as “Steel Magnolias” meets “Driving Miss Daisy”.
“One of our mission statements is to provide diversity,” she added. “If you just did what the public buys tickets (for), it would be musicals all the time.”
Highlighting controversial issues may deter some, but it also raises social awareness, Blake said.
“If you don’t have something to lift you up or make you think about social issues (it’s a problem),” she said. “Those are some of the avant-garde things that people don’t necessarily want to see, but they make you think.”
Aside from season shows and special events, the SLOLT also offers the Readers’ Theatre, which involves a simple reading of recent theatrical works as well as lesser-known original plays, Blake said. They allow the theatre to experiment with new directors and depict controversial issues, she added.
As far as youth involvement, the Academy of Creative Theatre (ACT) provides students of all experience levels year-round theatrical training that is designed to inspire young performers and technicians. The Little Theatre prides itself on its ACT Acting Out! camp that urges children from first to sixth grade to participate in a week of theatre games, improvisation and character work. It concludes with a family-oriented performance.
“We do play a vital role in the community because the schools do cut back the arts and they already have,” Blake said. “So we play that role for the community and the children to have a place to take care of their interests.”
Yet, each show requires significant funding, from royalties to advertising. Ticket sales only account for 25 to 35 percent of the funding and the rest comes from donations, Meserve said. Supporters are encouraged to donate to The Show Must Go On Fund that aids the SLOLT via tax-deductible donations.
“We have been here for 63 years, I don’t think we will be shutting down,” Blake said, referring to recent economic hardship. “I do think that we will have to make some changes within the organization but I believe we will always be here and provide live theatre to the community. We will have to seek more private donations and we will have to seek more volunteer-based help.”
College students are encouraged to volunteer not only because they get free tickets to shows, but because it offers a unique experience, Blake said.
“If they (students) are a theatre major and they are into performance or set building, it’s a great hands-on experience to add on their resume,” she said.
Live theatre is an indispensable privilege that allows people to leave their worries at the door, Meserve said.
“It is such a treasure for the community because you look at downtown, what live entertainment can you can go to weekly?” she said. “As far as downtown live theatre in this kind of 100-seat intimate setting, it’s a gem – it’s a real treasure.”
Arts in general show the health of a community, Blake said.
“When we (the SLOLT) go, the quality of the life of the community can start to perish also,” she added.
Tickets for the “Daughters of the Lone Star State” are on sale, costing $22 for general admission and $19 for students.